Elon Musk has asked whether the United States should “liberate the British people from a tyrannical government” as the tech billionaire re-enters British politics.
In recent months, key aides to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump have repeatedly posted on social media attacking British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and the center-left Labor Party elected in July.
Most recently, the South African-born American businessman has focused on the British government’s handling of the investigation into organized gangs allegedly overseeing child sexual abuse and systematic rape of young women.
The Tesla CEO also pushed the “two-tiered policing” conspiracy theory, claiming British officials treat pro-Palestinian or Black Lives Matter protesters more leniently than far-right protesters.
Musk’s attraction to the UK will reportedly extend to a significant donation to the growing right-wing political party, Reform UK. But this now looks doubtful after Musk said on Sunday that leader Nigel Farage “does not have the necessary capabilities”.
His interest in British politics continued Monday when he posted an online poll on his
Musk attacked the British government, calling for Jess Phillips, the junior government minister responsible for combating violence against women and girls, to be jailed. He called her “an advocate of rape and genocide.”
The comments come after Phillips rejected calls for a public inquiry into historic child abuse in the northern English village of Oldham, saying such decisions would be up to local authorities.
Musk also criticized Starmer for failing to punish perpetrators when he served as Britain’s director of public prosecutions from 2008 to 2013.
The previous Conservative government conducted an inquiry into historic child sex abuse cases, but many of the recommendations it made for 2022 have not yet been implemented.
Musk’s fallout with political leader Farage, who described Musk as a “hero”, comes as the British reform leader distances himself from jailed far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Musk said Robinson should be released from prison.
On Monday, Starmer blamed “people spreading lies and misinformation as widely as possible” for Musk’s attacks.
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The prime minister defended his record as chief prosecutor, saying he had reopened closed cases and “changed the prosecution’s entire approach to child sexual exploitation.”
He also criticized the language Musk used about Philips. “When the venom of the far right leads to a serious threat to Jess Phillips and others, a line has been crossed in my book,” Starmer said.
The billionaire’s comments about Britain highlight his heightened interest in politics around the world after helping finance Trump’s impending return to the White House. Musk recently weighed in on German politics by supporting the far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD).
