Elon Musk and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer clashed over the handling of violent far-right riots in the country, with Musk accusing the government of discriminatory policing. The online spat began when Musk tweeted about civil war being inevitable in the UK in response to anti-migration sentiments surrounding the riots. Starmer condemned the comments, leading Musk to double down on his criticism of the government. He questioned why all communities weren’t being protected and expressed support for those arrested for offensive online comments. Musk’s posts on his platform X received significant engagement, influencing the online discourse around the riots.
The riots, initially sparked by misinformation about a stabbing suspect being a Muslim immigrant, have led to hundreds of arrests and injuries to police officers. Far-right groups have been blamed for organizing the protests, with some claiming bias in police response. The UK government has not directly responded to Musk’s comments, but Labour Party MPs were warned against engaging with him to prevent amplifying misinformation. The violence stems from anti-immigrant sentiments amplified by figures like Musk and Andrew Tate, contributing to the intensification of protests against immigrants and minorities.
Musk’s support for right-wing narratives, including anti-immigration views, aligns him with figures like Donald Trump. Musk’s endorsement of Trump and donations to his re-election campaign have led to backlash, with some companies, like German pharmacy chain Rossman, distancing themselves from Tesla due to Musk’s political affiliations. The escalating online battle between Musk and the UK government reflects broader societal tensions and the role of social media in shaping public opinion during times of crisis.
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