this post was submitted on 05 Jan 2025
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Elon Musk has said Reform UK needs a "new leader" because Nigel Farage "doesn't have what it takes".

The X owner posted the tweet on Sunday following days of headlines over his comments about the historical grooming scandal that took place across UK towns and cities more than a decade ago.

Although Mr Musk is in agreement with Mr Farage and the Conservatives that there should be another national inquiry, a dividing line has emerged between the tech billionaire and the Reform leader over the former's support for jailed activist Tommy Robinson.

Shortly after Musk's post, Mr Farage said: "Well, this is a surprise!

"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."

...

His comments about Mr Farage will be embarrassing for Reform, who have been courting the billionaire and soon-to-be efficiency tsar of the incoming president-elect Donald Trump.

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[–] Emperor 42 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I never sell out my principles.

Says the man who has solidly sold out the country to fossil fuel backed climate skeptics and to murkier backers (possibly even Russia) over Brexit.

[–] galmuth 16 points 3 weeks ago

Selling out his country to Russia is a matter of principle for Farage, and he'd never sell out his principles.

[–] Viking_Hippie@lemmy.dbzer0.com 22 points 3 weeks ago

~~jailed activist~~ leading Nazi agitator currently in jail for contempt of court for filming and calling defendents "Muslim child rapists" while the jury was deliberating, Tommy Robinson

Fixed their white washing.

[–] SouthEndSunset@lemm.ee 22 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Interesting that the Cons are calling for a national enquiry now in-spite of the fact that they were in power after and during the grooming happening.

[–] TheGrandNagus@lemmy.world 17 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

And that there literally was an inquiry. The Conservatives simply didn't implement its recommendations.

Do people not remember Boris Johnson's insensitive words about that very inquiry? (I.e. that investigating mass rape of young girls was "spaffing money up the wall")

“One comment I would make is I think an awful lot of money – and an awful lot of police time – now goes into these historic offences and all this malarkey,”

“You know, £60million I saw was being spaffed up the wall on some investigation into historic child abuse and all this kind of thing.

-- Boris Johnson, in an LBC interview

What a PR win Labour could have here.

"We implemented the recommendations of the Child Sexual Abuse report the Conservatives dismissed as being a waste of time and money. Unlike the Tories, we care about busting CSA gangs, setting right past failings, and making Britain safe!"

Unfortunately Labour are pretty dreadful at getting a grip on the narrative.

[–] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 1 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)
[–] SouthEndSunset@lemm.ee 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Short version …we have a “grooming gang” (ie paedophile) problem in the U.K., many are Muslim, apparently there was an enquiry but the results got hidden, by the previous ruling party, the Conservatives.

[–] sunzu2@thebrainbin.org 4 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

Are the gangs affiliated with rich people getting access or just peasants trafficng peasants children for other peasants to abuse?

Or the angle here it got buried not to piss off Muslims? Why would conservatives care to "protect" the Muslims then?

[–] wewbull 5 points 3 weeks ago

The latter as I remember it. The allegations were that police were turning a blind eye to crimes under UK law for fear of "targeting" certain communities.

Tories tend to always support the police.

[–] SouthEndSunset@lemm.ee 2 points 3 weeks ago

Sorry this is late.

It appears to be peasants trafficking for peasants, as nothings come out. But bad stuff rarely comes out for the elites does it?

That angle is the one pushed here. I think that the conservatives wanted divide, and maybe a coverup, as we all know white people can be paedos, and there’s plenty of paedos or abusers amongst Tommy Robinsons fan boys.

[–] aqwxcvbnji@hexbear.net 16 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Tony Robinson was active in the British national party, an openly fascist organisation. He's now serving an 18-month prison sentence. If Musk is supporting Robinson, and says Farage "doesn't have what it takes" because he doesn't support him, he's saying that Farage isn't right-wing enough.

[–] darko8472 8 points 3 weeks ago

Tommy, not Tony. Tony Robinson is a national treasure best remembered for Black Adder, Maid Marian and her Merry Men and Time Team.

[–] DrCake@lemmy.world 13 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Is this a new record for a right wing Twitter civil war? The current MAGA war at least held off until after the election.

[–] MutilationWave@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago

Such dirty backstabbing too. An interview with Farage praising Elon had just aired minutes before. Not that I don't enjoy the infighting.

[–] DrCake@lemmy.world 11 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (1 children)

What Musk doesn’t realise, because he doesn’t know UK politics, is that Farage is actually Reforms biggest asset. Without his “popularity” (or at least brand image) they won’t win anything.

[–] thetreesaysbark@sh.itjust.works 14 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I wonder if this is all theatrics.

Musk wants to fund reform, farage 'sticking to his guns ' and musk relenting makes farage look more like a strongman, who can negotiate with 'foreign powers' and can reference a clear win.

I suspect this'll all still play out with Musk funding Farage.

[–] DrCake@lemmy.world 6 points 3 weeks ago

Maybe, but then we know how thin skinned Musk is, would his ego allow him to be rebuffed publicly?

[–] Blackmist 10 points 3 weeks ago

Well that betrayal didn't take long.

We'll have the reanimated AI powered corpse of Oswald Moseley running things by the next election.

[–] mannycalavera 8 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Is Musk going to run for Reform leader? Claim some vague British connection via South Africa?

[–] leraje@lemmy.blahaj.zone 7 points 3 weeks ago

He's apparently considering becoming a UK citizen so he can make a £100m personal donation to Reform.

[–] HumanPenguin 8 points 3 weeks ago

Elon Musk says 'Farage doesn't have what it takes'

Well duh.

But given his desperate plea to the King. Requesting him to force an election.

Nor does Elon, apparently. He needs to beg for old feudal power structures to help him win his desires.

[–] Jackthelad@lemmy.world 4 points 3 weeks ago

Fair play to Farage for essentially telling Musk to go do one.

[–] Fandangalo@lemmy.world 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It feels like they are making the same face with similar facial features in this picture.

[–] kbal@fedia.io 3 points 3 weeks ago

Masters of the smirk of arrogance