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Elon Musk has called on Nigel Farage to step down as leader of Reform UK in a surprise U-turn hours after the British politician refused to back some of the tech billionaire’s latest online claims.
“Reformists need a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes,” Musk wrote on X, his social media page, on Sunday afternoon.
The Tesla boss previously praised Farage, urging people to “vote for reform” and calling the party the UK’s “only hope”.
Musk has posted repeatedly about British politics since Labor was elected in July, from Sir Keir Starmer’s response to the summer riots to the country’s tax policy. He has posted dozens of times over the past week about the historic scandal involving grooming gangs in northern England, mostly to complain about failures to hold perpetrators accountable.
Musk claimed on Friday that Starmer was “complicit in the rape of Britain”, referring to the now-prime minister’s previous role in overseeing the UK’s prosecutor’s office when evidence of the gangs came to light more than a decade ago.
Musk also described Jess Phillips, the UK minister for protection and violence against women and girls, as a “rape genocide apologist” and a “wicked witch”.
Earlier on Sunday, Farage refused to accept Musk’s language about Starmer and Phillips. “I don’t agree with everything he stands for,” he told the BBC.
Musk has also repeatedly called for the release of right-wing activist Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, and who is in prison for contempt of court. Earlier this week, Farage ruled out Robinson joining the Reform Party, saying “he is not what we need”.
In an interview on Sunday, Farage said he would explain to Musk that Robinson was jailed for lying in court, not for exposing criminal gangs.
In response, Musk wrote on X: “I know he’s in jail for contempt of court. . . but there is NO justification for such a long prison sentence or solitary confinement!”
Asked if he thought Musk’s comments about British political figures were acceptable, Farage said: “The fact that Musk supports me and supports reform doesn’t mean that as two adults we have to agree with everything other people say.”
He added: “But I believe in freedom of speech. I think he’s a hero.”
After Musk’s X announcement, Farage responded by quoting her and wrote: “Well this is a surprise! Elon is a remarkable person, but I’m afraid I don’t agree with this. My opinion remains that Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform and I never betray my principles.”
Musk and Farage met at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida last month, when the tech billionaire said he was considering a significant donation to Farage’s party.
The blossoming friendship between these two figures has become a serious cause for concern for both the Conservative Party and Labour.
Musk’s repeated criticism of Starmer earlier led Lord Peter Mandelson, Britain’s newly appointed ambassador to Washington, to suggest that Farage should be used as a “bridgehead” between the Labor government and the incoming US administration.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch called on the British government to launch a national inquiry into the groom scandal, arguing it should “consider the likely racial or religious motivation of these crimes”.
Musk responded by posting on X: “Well done to Kemi Badenoch!”
He also spoke favorably of Reform MP Rupert Lowe, saying “his statements online that I’ve read so far make a lot of sense”.
Farage sought to position Reform Britain as a rival to the Conservatives.
