THE GUARDIAN: It is unclear what prompted Musk to post message on X saying Farage ‘doesn’t have what it takes’ to be Reform UK’s leader
Elon Musk has said Nigel Farage “doesn’t have what it takes” to be Reform UK’s leader, hours after Farage refused to condemn the billionaire businessman for his inflammatory comments about Keir Starmer and Jess Phillips.
In a surprise intervention, less than three weeks after Musk met Farage at Donald Trump’s Florida home amid reports he could donate $100m (£80m) to Reform, Musk used X, the social media platform he owns, to say: “The Reform party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes.”
It was not clear what prompted Musk, who has tweeted numerous times recently about UK politics, to change his mind about the Reform leader.
But Farage indicated it could have been due to disagreement about Tommy Robinson, the jailed far-right anti-Islam agitator whom Musk has characterised as a political prisoner, but whom Farage condemns.
“Well, this is a surprise!” Farage wrote on X after Musk’s tweet. “Elon is a remarkable individual but on this I am afraid I disagree. My view remains that Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform and I never sell out my principles.” » | Peter Walker, Senior political correspondent | Sunday, January 5, 2025
THE TELEGRAPH:
Musk says Farage ‘doesn’t have what it takes’ to lead Reform: Tech multi-billionaire’s unexpected intervention comes after a disagreement over Tommy Robinson »
Musk has just gone up in my estimation! – © Mark Alexander
