Tech billionaire Elon Musk has intensified his scrutiny of the United Kingdom's political landscape, recently asserting that a government prioritizing "foreigners above their own people is, by definition, TREASONOUS and ILLEGITIMATE!" This statement, shared on his social media platform X, is part of a broader series of criticisms that saw him post or retweet 225 times about UK politics in the first week of January alone. Musk's remarks underscore his growing engagement in European affairs, often aligning with anti-establishment and nationalist sentiments.
His recent interventions have specifically targeted the UK's Labour government, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips. Musk has repeatedly referenced historical child sexual exploitation scandals in northern England, accusing officials of complicity or cover-ups. He has used strong language, labeling Phillips a "rape genocide apologist" and calling for "prison for Starmer," drawing widespread condemnation from UK politicians.
The tycoon's highly charged commentary extends to calls for the UK populace to be "liberated from their tyrannical government," and he has voiced support for figures like far-right activist Tommy Robinson and the Reform UK party. Experts suggest Musk's sudden and intense focus on UK politics may be linked to efforts to resist stringent online safety regulations, such as the Digital Services Act (DSA) in the EU and the Online Safety Act (OSA) in the UK, which could impact X's operations and content moderation policies.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has largely opted to condemn the "lies and misinformation" without directly naming Musk, while defending his record as a public prosecutor. Concerns have been raised in political circles about foreign interference in UK domestic affairs and the potential implications for the "special relationship" between the UK and the United States, particularly with the incoming Trump administration, with whom Musk is closely associated. The ongoing public discourse highlights the increasing influence of global tech figures on national political narratives.