Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the social media platform X, has stirred political controversy by questioning whether the United States should “liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government.”
His remarks have drawn sharp criticism from British officials, particularly after he condemned the U.K.’s handling of child abuse scandals.
Musk specifically targeted U.K. Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips, accusing her of being a “rape genocide apologist” on social media.
He followed up with a call for Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s resignation and imprisonment, citing failures in prosecuting child grooming gangs during Starmer’s tenure as the director of public prosecutions.
The controversy escalated over the weekend with Musk launching an online poll asking users whether the U.S. should intervene in Britain.
The question came shortly after Phillips dismissed calls for a government inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham, a decision that Musk sharply criticized.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer defended his record during a press conference, stating that during his leadership, the Crown Prosecution Service achieved a record number of child sexual abuse prosecutions. He condemned Musk’s comments, labeling them as misinformation spread for self-serving purposes.
“When the poison of the far right leads to serious threats against Jess Phillips and others, a line has been crossed,” Starmer said. He emphasized the importance of facts in political debates and condemned those who undermine justice for attention.
U.K. Health Minister Wes Streeting also weighed in, calling Musk’s attack on Phillips a “disgraceful smear.”
British officials defend actions amidst Musk’s calls for “liberating the people of Britain.”
Streeting defended both Starmer and Phillips, citing their efforts to combat violent crimes against women and children.
He further challenged Musk to actively contribute to addressing online safety and combating violence rather than resorting to inflammatory rhetoric.
The clash between Musk and British officials comes as the U.K. braces for the second term of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, raising questions about the future of the “special relationship” between the two nations.
Meanwhile, the European Union has strengthened its ties with Britain to shield against potential U.S. trade tariffs under Trump’s administration.
As the political skirmish continues, it highlights the complex interplay between international politics, social media influence, and public discourse on justice and governance.
Musk’s comments, whether seen as a critique or provocation, underscore the growing challenges of navigating these issues in an interconnected world.
