Elon Musk’s Changing View of Britain: From Affection to Criticism

In 2012, following a business trip to London and Oxford, Elon Musk tweeted, “Just returned… I met with many interesting people. I really like Britain!” Fast forward to 2024, and Musk’s opinion of Britain has taken a sharp turn.
Musk now shares provocative comments on X (formerly Twitter), saying, “Civil war is inevitable,” “Britain is going full Stalin,” and claiming, “The people of Britain have had enough of a tyrannical police state.” These statements reflect a stark contrast to his earlier admiration for the country.
Musk has also had public clashes with British politicians, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer. He has amplified voices from the right and far-right online, and according to Reform UK leader Nigel Farage, Musk is in talks to make a substantial donation to the party.
So, what has caused Musk’s relationship with Britain, a longtime ally of the United States, to sour? And what does he hope to achieve by voicing such strong opinions?
Although Musk did not respond to interview requests, his X timeline provides some insights. The self-proclaimed “Chief Troll Officer” often expresses exaggerated, ambiguous opinions, leaving it unclear whether he’s being sincere or ironic. When he writes, “Is this Britain or the Soviet Union?” he doesn’t mean that Britain has become a totalitarian Communist state, but he hints at it. Musk frequently reposts content with minimal commentary—just a single word like “interesting” or an emoji—rather than elaborating on his views.
In recent years, Musk’s online activity has shown a clear shift toward supporting a libertarian, “anti-woke” worldview, often opposing progressives and centrists. His criticism of Britain became particularly pronounced during the riots last summer following the tragic killing of three girls in Southport, northwest England. False rumors about the attacker circulated on X, including from far-right accounts that had been reinstated after Musk acquired the platform. As the situation escalated into violent protests, Sir Keir Starmer warned social media companies about the role they play in inciting unrest.
Musk responded to Starmer’s comments with a single word: “Insane.” Later, he claimed that “civil war is inevitable” and spread a false narrative about Sir Keir considering the creation of detainment camps on the Falkland Islands. The post was viewed by over a million people before Musk deleted it.
In another notable instance, Musk criticized the UK’s “prison overcrowding situation” during an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, watched by 19 million people. He referred to the issue with a nod to George Orwell’s dystopian writings, saying we should “make Orwell fiction again.”
Musk, who has shown deep concern for existential issues surrounding humanity’s future, has repeatedly returned to the topic of free speech. Just weeks ago, he responded to a tweet from a right-wing American influencer, making an exaggerated claim about a UK government report on radicalisation, with the question: “What is happening in the UK?”
Musk’s influence in British politics may extend beyond online commentary. He was recently spotted with Farage and Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy, fueling speculation that he is preparing to make a significant financial contribution to the party.
As Musk’s views on Britain continue to evolve, only time will tell whether his political involvement in the UK will deepen further.