Elon Musk calls for Nigel Farage to be replaced as leader of the Reform party

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Elon Musk has called for Nigel Farage to be replaced as UK Reform leader in a dramatic U-turn hours after the British politician refused to agree to some of the tech billionaire’s latest demands.

“The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes,” Musk wrote on X, his website, on Sunday afternoon.

The Tesla boss has previously praised Farage, urging people to “vote Change”, and calling the party the UK’s “only hope”.

Musk has written frequently about UK politics since Labor was elected in July, from Sir Keir Starmer’s response to the summer riots to the country’s tax plan. In the past week, he has written several times about the historic scandal surrounding sex offenders’ gangs in the north of England, particularly complaining about the failure to prosecute offenders.

On Friday, Musk said Starmer was “participating in the rape of Britain”, referring to the former prime minister’s role in overseeing the UK’s public prosecutor’s office when evidence of gangs emerged a decade ago.

Musk also described Jess Phillips, the UK minister for security and violence against women and girls, as a “defender of rape and murder” and an “evil witch”.

Earlier on Sunday, Farage had refused to agree with Musk’s speech relating to 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 Tommy Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who is in prison for contempt of court. Earlier this week, Farage condemned Robinson for joining the Reform party, saying it was “not what we need”.

In an interview on Sunday, Farage said he would explain to Musk that Robinson was in prison for lying in court rather than exposing gangs.

In response, Musk wrote to X: “I know you are in jail for contempt of court . . . but there is no reason for such a long prison sentence or solitary confinement!”

Pressed on whether he thought Musk’s views on British politics were acceptable, Farage said: “The fact that Musk supports me and supports Change does not mean that we are the same people. elders we must agree with everything others say.”

He added: “But I believe in free speech. I think I’m a hero.”

After Musk’s X post, Farage responded by quoting it and writing: “Amazing! Elon is an exceptional person but on this I’m afraid I disagree. My view remains that Tommy Robinson is not fit for Change and I never sell my principles.”

Musk and Farage met at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Florida mansion last month, with the tech billionaire saying he was considering making a big donation to Farage’s party.

The growing friendship between the two has become a serious cause for concern in the Conservative and Labor parties.

Musk’s repeated criticism of Starmer led Lord Peter Mandelson, Britain’s newly appointed ambassador to Washington, to suggest that Farage should be used as a “bridge” between the Labor government and the next administration. of the US.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch has called on the UK government to launch a national inquiry into the grooming scandal, arguing that it should “consider the ethnic or religious background of these offences”.

Musk responded by posting on X: “Good for Kemi Badenoch!”

He also posted positive news about MP Rupert Lowe, saying “his comments online that I’ve read so far make the most sense”.

Farage has sought to position Reform UK as a rival to the Conservatives.