Elon Musk’s influence in UK politics may seem out of the blue for the world’s richest man, but it may point to a bigger issue about how money can influence politics.
The South African born billionaire has spent the first few weeks of the new year on a tirade against Keir Starmer and the UK Government, largely over what he says is their failure to act on calls for an inquiry into grooming gangs.
But he even caught Nigel Farage off guard when he suggested the Reform leader did not have what it takes to lead the burgeoning party.
It was just a few weeks ago the pair met at President-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate, where it was rumoured Musk mulled over donating a staggering $100 million (£80.5 million) into the right wing party.
The disagreement comes over Musk’s support for Tommy Robinson, with the tech tycoon arguing that the far right activist should be released from his 18-month prison sentence.
But Musk’s fascination with UK politics is all a bit odd.
64% of Brits don’t even like the guy, according to a YouGov poll in August, so it does not really feel like he can make an impact with the public across the pond by voicing his views on politics here.
He also doesn’t seem to be the biggest fan of the UK. His latest posts on X describe the UK as a “tyrannical government”. And last week, he said “very few companies” would want to invest in the UK.
So why does he bother? It’s not like Musk’s diary is empty. He is a busy man with business ventures including Space X and Tesla.
Musk’s financial support to Trump’s election helped steer the Republicans to victory. And he has now been rewarded with an official role.
He will become a significant political player in the States, and beyond, as he is appointed efficiency tsar.
Perhaps being the richest man in the world has its challenges. Sure, you can buy anything you want. But what happens when you have it all? Surely the next step is a quest for power.
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Farage disagreed with Musk’s views on Robinson, perhaps the first sign that the billionaire will not be able to control our political figures like puppets.
In this light, Musk’s beef with Starmer and other prominent figures here seems to make sense.
There’s also the fact the UK’s Online Safety Act, which requires social media firms to remove illegal content, would directly impact his platform.
But controlling the strings of UK politics may not be as easy as Musk’s thinks. If he did want to make an impact here, say through piling more money into Reform, to influence the political landscape here, it would have its barriers.
As he isn’t a UK citizen, Musk can’t personally make political donations here – though he could use his businesses, namely X, to do so.
Although misguided, Musk is just another classic case of a power-mad man’s thirst for more.