2012 Elon Musk returned from a business trip to London and Oxford. Just returned… He shared on Twitter, “I met with many interesting people.” “I have a strong appreciation for Britain!”
As we move into 2024, Musk’s perspective on Britain has shifted significantly.
“Civil war is on the horizon,” … “Britain is adopting a Stalinist approach,” … “The citizens of Britain are reaching their breaking point with a repressive police state.”
These remarks are among his latest on X, the platform he rebranded following his acquisition.
He has consistently fought with various politicians, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Additionally, he has elevated the presence of right-wing and far-right voices on online platforms and is reportedly in discussions to donate to Reform UK, as stated by the party’s leader, Nigel Farage.
The dynamics of Musk’s relationship with America’s closest ally appear to have deteriorated, raising questions about the motivations behind this shift and what outcomes he may be pursuing.
Despite our efforts to secure an interview, he has not responded to our requests.
The timeline presented on his X account provides several insights.
The individual who has taken on the title of “Chief Troll Officer” frequently employs exaggeration, leaving observers uncertain about the sincerity or irony of his statements.
In his provocative statement, “Is this Britain or the Soviet Union?” the author navigates a complex argument. While he does not equate Britain with a totalitarian Communist regime, there is an underlying implication that suggests a troubling parallel.
He frequently shares content accompanied by a solitary word, “interesting,” or an emoji, opting not to elaborate further.
In recent years, observers of Elon Musk have pointed out a notable trend in the content he shares with his 200 million followers. Much of this material appears to originate from a distinct ideological perspective characterized by libertarian views and a stance that opposes progressive and centrist ideologies.
What are the current developments in the UK?
Last summer’s riots marked a clear turning point, ignited by the tragic murder of three girls at a dance class in Southport, a town in north-west England.
Unfounded rumours regarding the attacker spread across X, notably propagated by far-right accounts that had been reinstated following Musk’s acquisition of the platform two years prior.
In the wake of escalating violence during a protest, Sir Keir delivered a stark warning to major social media platforms and their operators, stating, “Violent disorder, clearly incited online, constitutes a crime.”The situation is unfolding on your property, and it is imperative that the law is enforced consistently across all locations.
Musk responded succinctly with a single word: “Insane”.
In a subsequent statement, he declared that “civil war is inevitable”. He disseminated misleading information attributed to the leader of a far-right party, alleging that Sir Keir was contemplating the establishment of detainment camps for rioters on the Falkland Islands. Before the post was removed, it had garnered over a million views.
Musk expressed his concerns regarding Britain’s “prison overcrowding situation” during an appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, which has garnered 19 million views on YouTube.
He suggested that society should “make Orwell fiction again,” alluding to George Orwell’s commentary on dystopian themes.
Elon Musk, the owner of Tesla, SpaceX, and X, has consistently revisited the topic of free speech, a significant concern among his various interests. However, it is not his sole focus; he also expresses a deep interest in existential questions regarding the future of humanity.
Recently, a right-wing American influencer made headlines with an exaggerated claim regarding a report from the previous UK government on radicalisation. In response to this tweet, he asked, “What is happening in the UK?”
There are indications that he might be considering actions beyond just tweeting. Recent images of him alongside Farage and Reform UK treasurer Nick Candy have surfaced, coinciding with reports suggesting he is poised to make a significant financial contribution to the party.
The reasons behind Musk’s interest in Britain
Musk’s engagement with UK affairs may indicate a shift in his own political beliefs. Once identifying as a centrist and having contributed to Hillary Clinton’s campaign, he has since shifted his focus to discussions surrounding what he terms the “woke mind virus”.
Interviews and a recent biography reveal that a significant turning point in his life was marked by the transition of one of his children from male to female. This child, Vivian Wilson, later severed ties with him, further complicating the narrative.
Winston Marshall, the former guitarist of Mumford & Sons who has transitioned into a podcast host and right-leaning political commentator, suggests that Elon Musk may be engaging in public disputes due to his strong affection for the UK. Marshall, whose father is a co-owner of the television channel GB News, offers this perspective in light of Musk’s recent actions.
“Britain is recognized as the birthplace of liberal democracy and the origin of many significant philosophies that form the foundation of America,” Marshall states.
“He observes the situation in the UK, where events have been unfolding for several years and are now reaching a peak following the August riots. Numerous individuals sometimes face lengthy prison sentences for merely sharing Facebook memes.”
What may seem like a lighthearted topic, “Facebook memes,” can have serious consequences. A notable case involved an individual receiving a three-month jail sentence for sharing a meme that included the provocative caption “let’s [expletive] riot” in a Facebook group explicitly named “riot/protest” during the Southport disorder.
Doubts surround the tycoon’s true commitment to free speech, raising questions about the authenticity of his claims.
The Center for Countering Digital Hate, an organization that examines social media companies’ practices, has criticised Musk’s leadership at X. This backlash has led the billionaire to initiate legal action, alleging that the group has misused data and created a climate of fear among advertisers. A US judge dismissed the case.
The CEO, Imran Ahmed, characterized the incident as reflective of a mindset that fails to grasp the principle that freedom of speech is a right extended to everyone, not solely himself.
Critics have noted Musk’s cautious approach to commenting on the Chinese president, particularly given Tesla’s significant business interests in the country, which is known for its extensive censorship practices.
While his business interests in Britain are relatively minimal, Parliament’s recent passage of the Online Safety Act in late 2023 could still have significant implications for his financial outcomes. The regulator Ofcom will have the authority to impose substantial fines on social media companies if they are discovered to host specific types of illegal content on their platforms.
Andrew Chadwick, a professor of political communication at Loughborough University, highlights that although certain aspects of the bill are widely accepted, the situation becomes more complex when discussing the illegal content that intersects with the daily disinformation and misinformation prevalent on social media platforms.
He states that this may encompass offences that are “racially or religiously aggravated public order offences or the incitement of violence.”
The legislation introduces significant penalties, including fines that could reach as high as 10% of qualifying global revenue.
Is it possible that Musk harbors concerns regarding Britain’s potential impact on X’s revenues? As stipulated by the Act, in certain situations, access to the site could also be restricted within the UK.
Proponents of the Act contend that it is unrelated to the suppression of free speech. Gawain Towler, the former head of press for Reform UK, asserts that although Elon Musk may lack “a forensic knowledge of all the details of backbench committee,” he can “see the bigger picture.” This perspective aligns with concerns raised by Reform activists and others regarding what they characterize as a growing culture of censorship.
One need not focus solely on the trees. “I believe Musk clearly understands the bigger picture,” he adds.
The thoughts of the world’s wealthiest individual remain inscrutable to all.
Musk has directed his considerable financial resources towards gaining influence, effectively promoting his values on a global scale. This includes advocating for a prevalent American perspective on free speech and a largely unrestricted form of capitalism.
He has not finished his endeavours in the UK.
