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Elon Musk has privately played down the chances of a donation to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK, telling an aide that it won’t be easy to give money to the British party after joining the US government.
The associate said Musk told them earlier this month that Donald Trump’s inauguration would complicate his ability to donate Reform for his role as a tech billionaire who heads the waste-cutting unit of the new administration.
Still Musk met Farage in December at Mar-a-Lago, the pair did not meet again when the reform leader traveled to Washington, DC, for Trump’s inauguration, two people familiar with the matter said.
Musk has intervened dramatically in British politics in recent months, declaring reform the country’s “only hope” and frequently criticizing Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Last month, Farage said the X owner and Tesla boss was “seriously considering” a donation to Reform. The UK’s loose rules on political donations allow foreign-owned entities — such as Musk’s X subsidiary in the UK — to give unlimited amounts to UK parties.
But the pair have since clashed over Musk’s support for far-right agitator and convicted felon Tommy Robinson, who is in jail for contempt of court in connection with Robinson’s defamation of a Syrian refugee.
Earlier this month, Musk called for Farage to be sacked as Reform leader, posting on X that the veteran politician did not “have what it takes” and suggesting alternatives, including Rupert Lowe, another Reform MP.
Farage has cultivated ties to Trump, appearing at his rallies in the past. Although he was not invited to the Capitol Rotunda for Monday’s ceremony, he attended several parties surrounding the event, including the official ball following the inauguration.
Musk did not attend Friday’s inauguration party in Washington by pro-Brexit businessmen Arron Banks and Andy Wigmore, allies of Farage, but instead sent a close aide.
Trump has tasked Musk with leading the “Department of Government Effectiveness,” or DOGE, which will sit within the existing federal agency.
There is no US law preventing Musk from contributing financially to Reform, and he can still choose to make a donation. However, a financial gift from a senior figure in the Trump administration to a British opposition party could spark diplomatic tensions between the US and the UK, which are close allies.
Speculation that Musk could donate up to $100 million following media reports in November has given the British right-wing party a boost as it surges in the polls and attracts some lower-level defections from the Conservatives, Britain’s largest right-wing party and the official opposition.
A spokesman for Reform confirmed that Musk had not made a donation to date and said: “We have a good relationship with Elon Musk and will continue to do so.” Musk did not respond to a request for comment.
