What have Musk and Farage said about each other so far?

What have Musk and Farage said about each other so far?

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Elon Musk is already a global force in tech, but he has recently turned his attentions to the world of politics.

Not content with being the government efficiency chief in US president-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet, the X, Tesla and SpaceX boss now has his sights set on the political systems of other countries too.

The tech billionaire has been highly critical of prime minister Sir Keir Starmer over British grooming gangs, and has also targeted German chancellor Olaf Scholz, calling him a “fool”, while endorsing the far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party in the country’s upcoming federal elections.

Musk is also trying to make inroads in Italy, with the announcement on Sunday that SpaceX is in talks with prime minister Giorgia Meloni’s government over a deal to provide it with secure telecommunications, on the weekend Meloni visited Trump at Mar-a-Lago.

In the UK, Musk’s closest political ally had been Nigel Farage, but all that changed on Sunday in the time it takes to post a message on X. From recently offering to donate money to Farage’s Reform UK, to suggesting the party should sack him this weekend – relations have certainly soured.

Whether the pair patch things up remains to be seen, but they definitely haven’t finished talking about one other. Here is what they have said about each other so far.

Musk had been cosying up to Reform UK since it won five seats in the summer’s general election, and met party leader Nigel Farage at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida in December, amid reports the billionaire was about to drop a large donation.

However, Musk said on Sunday that the party needs a new leader, in an apparent clash with Farage over jailed right-wing activist Tommy Robinson – real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon – who is serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court.

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. https://t.co/V7iccN6usS

— Nigel Farage MP (@Nigel_Farage) January 5, 2025

Musk posted on X: “The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes.”

He then appeared to endorse Rupert Lowe, one of the party’s five MPs, as a replacement.

Farage, a long-time admirer of Musk, replied to the post, saying: “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.”

In an interview broadcast on BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg programme, Farage had said of Musk: “I think I made it perfectly clear that I don’t agree with everything he stands for, but I do believe in free speech.

“I think he’s a hero, and I said that well before any potential money was offered.”

Just days before Musk called for him to be removed as Reform leader, Farage had been full of praise for the billionaire.

Elon Musk, left, with Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy, centre, and party leader Nigel Farage, right. (PA)

Farage told GB News: “He will help us enormously because he’s a hero figure, especially for the youth who really do admire this man and if it comes to him helping us financially, that’s fantastic.”

However, Farage disputed Musk’s claim that Robinson should not be in prison – the tech boss had posted on X last week: “Free Tommy Robinson.”

Farage said: “He sees Robinson as one of these people that fought against the grooming gangs. But of course the truth is Tommy Robinson’s in prison not for that, but for contempt of court.”

Farage was full of excitement after his hour-long meeting with Musk in the US, writing in The Telegraph: “We only have one more chance left to save the West and we can do great things together.”

Tech billionaire Elon Musk is trying to become influential in Washington DC and beyond. (Getty Images)

“Inevitably, following such intense media speculation, the issue of money was discussed, and there will be ongoing negotiations on that score.”

On the same day, Musk responded to a post on X by Farage in which the Reform leader said: “Britain needs Reform.”

Musk replied simply: “Absolutely.”

A week earlier, Farage had dismissed reports that Musk would donate to Reform, saying: “We don’t know anything about Elon Musk”, but added that if money were offered “we will take it”.

Farage told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme was a “huge admirer of Elon Musk”, but had “never solicited a donation from him, and one has never been offered”.

While celebrating Trump’s US presidential election win, Farage also had warm words for Musk.

He told the Today programme: “What you are going to see from this Trump administration, and I’m guessing that Elon Musk will be the man that is tasked to do it, is there will be a big fightback against the administrative bureaucratic state which is far too big, far too powerful and actually very undemocratic.”

Following reports that Musk’s Tesla was planning to enter the UK energy market, Farage welcomed the move on X, saying in a video: “Elon Musk, the owner of this platform and one of the greatest disruptors in the world, has announced he’s going to enter the UK home energy market.”

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has long been an admirer of Elon Musk. (PA)

Farage had more words of praise for Musk, posting on X: “Elon Musk’s Twitter is going from strength to strength. The man has become a free speech hero.”

After Musk’s purchase of Twitter, Farage posted: “This is a huge day for free speech but Elon Musk has work to do — it will not be easy to turn Twitter around.”

Farage had previously endorsed Musk, as Twitter attempted to fend off his attempted takeover of the platform, by posting: “Elon Musk is a loose cannon who absolutely believes in free speech. He is able to speak his mind by not joining the Twitter board.”