Elon Musk Sparks Controversy, Calling the UK a ‘Tyrannical Police State’

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Elon Musk, owner of X (formerly Twitter) and adviser to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, has reignited tensions with the British government, labeling the United Kingdom a “tyrannical police state” in a weekend tirade. Musk, who commands an audience of over 200 million on X, also shared a controversial documentary by far-right activist Tommy Robinson, raising fresh questions about his political stance and influence.  

 

Musk’s remarks come amid an ongoing feud with Britain’s new Labour government, led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. He criticized the administration’s policies and posted a graph highlighting Starmer’s declining approval ratings, captioning it with: “The voice of the people is a great antidote.” Musk has consistently painted Britain under Starmer as a nation struggling with authoritarianism and inequities in its justice system.  

 

Over the summer, Musk became particularly vocal about the UK after the tragic killing of three schoolgirls in Southport. He criticized the police response, accused Starmer of presiding over a “two-tier” justice system biased against white citizens, and spread unverified claims about the incident.

 

His rhetoric escalated, with Musk predicting “civil war is inevitable” in Britain. Downing Street dismissed his claims but notably excluded him from a high-profile investment summit in the fall. Efforts to repair relations between Musk and British officials have since been reported, though tensions remain.  

 

This weekend, Musk reignited controversy by questioning the imprisonment of Tommy Robinson, a British far-right figurehead jailed earlier this year for breaching a court order. Robinson had admitted to spreading false and defamatory claims about a Syrian refugee schoolboy in a documentary. Musk not only voiced skepticism about Robinson’s imprisonment but also shared the activist’s documentary with his followers, amplifying its reach significantly.  

 

Prime Minister Starmer’s office responded diplomatically to the uproar. A spokesperson stated that Starmer “looks forward to working with President Trump and his whole team, including Elon Musk,” to strengthen the UK-U.S. relationship. The statement sidestepped Musk’s direct criticisms and emphasized the importance of collaboration between the two nations.  

 

Musk’s increasingly combative stance toward Britain has raised eyebrows on both sides of the Atlantic. Critics argue that his comments risk inflaming social divisions and undermining international relations. His amplification of far-right narratives, in particular, has drawn condemnation, with many questioning the implications of his platform ownership on global discourse.  

 

As Musk continues to leverage his influence in the realms of politics and media, his remarks about the UK highlight the complex interplay between technology, power, and international diplomacy. For Britain, managing its relationship with Musk—a figure whose opinions can ripple across millions—presents a unique challenge amid shifting political dynamics.

 

Based on a report by Politico 2024-11-27