"Doesn't Have What It Takes": Elon Musk Withdraws Support for Nigel Farage

London, United Kingdom – Elon Musk has reversed his position on supporting Nigel Farage, leader of Britain’s anti-immigration Reform UK party, after a public disagreement between the two over the controversial figure of Tommy Robinson.

In a statement shared on his X platform (formerly Twitter) on Sunday, Musk criticized Farage's leadership, stating, “The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes.” This marked a stark shift in tone after earlier reports suggested Musk was in discussions with Farage about making a significant donation to the Reform Party. The party had recently played a key role in splitting the right-wing vote, which helped Labour secure power in the July general election.

The Disagreement Over Tommy Robinson

The fallout began after Musk expressed support for Tommy Robinson, a jailed British extremist known for his anti-Muslim rhetoric and history of criminal convictions. Musk’s posts included questions about why Robinson was in solitary confinement, alleging it was for “telling the truth” about grooming scandals in the UK.

Robinson, a former football hooligan with a large online following, was imprisoned in October for contempt of court related to a libel case involving a Syrian refugee. Musk’s posts argued Robinson should be freed, stating, “Those who covered up this travesty should take his place in that cell.”

Farage, while acknowledging Robinson’s role in bringing attention to grooming gang scandals, publicly disagreed with Musk’s framing. "Tommy Robinson is not a political prisoner," Farage said in response, clarifying that Robinson’s imprisonment stemmed from legal violations, not activism.

Farage added that while Musk had previously been "very supportive" of him and his party, their views on Robinson diverged sharply.

Farage Responds to Musk’s Comments

On Sunday, following Musk’s statement about his leadership, Farage responded on X: “This is a surprise! Elon is a remarkable individual, but on this, I am afraid I disagree.” He maintained that he stood by his principles and reiterated that Robinson was “not right for Reform.”

Farage’s comments highlight his attempt to distance the Reform Party from Robinson’s contentious legacy, which includes spearheading anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant movements in the UK.

The Controversial Grooming Scandal

The grooming scandals referenced by Musk have long been a source of public outrage and political debate in the UK. These cases, involving groups of predominantly South Asian men convicted of abusing vulnerable young girls, exposed failures by police and social services to act. Some officials were accused of avoiding intervention to sidestep allegations of racism.

While the scandals have been exploited by far-right figures like Robinson, official investigations revealed systemic failures in protecting victims, fueling calls for reform and accountability.

Musk's Broader Criticism of UK Politics

In his series of posts, Musk also took aim at Prime Minister Keir Starmer and child welfare minister Jess Phillips, accusing them of inadequate action against "rape gangs." The comments underline Musk’s growing involvement in UK political debates, though his outspoken remarks have sparked controversy across the political spectrum.

As the fallout between Musk and Farage continues, the incident raises broader questions about the intersection of technology, politics, and populism in shaping public discourse.