Elon Musk has asked if the United States should “liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government” as the tech billionaire once again intervened in British politics.
In recent months, the key adviser to US President-elect Donald Trump has repeatedly criticized British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his center-left Labour Party, which was elected in July, on social media.
Most recently, the South African-born American businessman has focused on child sexual abuse and the UK government’s handling of investigations into organized gangs accused of orchestrating the systematic rape of young women.
The Tesla CEO has also promoted the “two-tier policing” conspiracy theory, claiming that British officials are more lenient toward pro-Palestinian or Black Lives Matter demonstrators than far-right protesters.
Musk’s fascination with the United Kingdom was rumored to extend to a significant donation to Reform U.K., the growing right-wing party. However, that appears to be in doubt after Musk stated on Sunday that leader Nigel Farage “doesn’t have what it takes.”
His interest in British politics persisted Monday, when he posted an online poll on his X social media site with the proposition: “America should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government.”
Elon Musk’s post about whether America should “liberate” Britain from tyranny.
Musk has called for the imprisonment of Jess Phillips, a junior government minister in charge of combating violence against women and girls, as part of his criticism of the UK government. He labeled her a “rape genocide apologist.”
That statement came after Phillips reportedly rejected calls for a public inquiry into historic child abuse in the northern English town of Oldham, claiming that such a decision was up to local authorities.
Musk has also criticized Starmer for failing to bring perpetrators to justice while he was England’s director of public prosecutions from 2008 to 2013.
The previous Conservative government conducted an inquiry into historical child sex abuse cases, but many of the recommendations issued in 2022 have yet to be implemented.
Musk’s feud with Farage, who had previously described Musk as “a hero,” stems from the Reform U.K. leader’s distance from imprisoned far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Musk has stated that Robinson should be released from prison.
On Monday, Starmer responded to Musk’s attacks by condemning “those that are spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible.”
The prime minister defended his record as chief prosecutor, claiming that he had reopened closed cases and “changed the whole prosecution approach” to child sexual abuse.
He also slammed Musk’s language about Phillips. “When the poison of the far-right leads to serious threats to Jess Phillips and others, then in my book, a line has been crossed,” Starmer told reporters.
The billionaire’s comments about Britain highlight his growing interest in politics around the world after helping fund Trump’s impending return to the White House. Musk has recently weighed in on German politics, supporting the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
