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Musk says Farage 'doesn't have what it takes' to be Reform UK leader Musk says Farage 'doesn't have what it takes' to be Reform UK leader
(about 1 hour later)
Elon Musk has called for Nigel Farage to be replaced as leader of Reform UK, just weeks after it was claimed the multi-billionaire was in talks to donate a large sum to the party. Elon Musk has called for Nigel Farage to be replaced as leader of Reform UK, just weeks after reports the multi-billionaire was in talks to donate to the party.
In a post on his social media site X, Musk said Farage "doesn't have what it takes" to lead the party. In a post on his social media site X, Musk said Farage "doesn't have what it takes" to lead the party - but did not explain his reasoning.
Farage defended Musk to the BBC on Sunday, saying "free speech was back", after the tech entrepreneur attacked the UK government's response to grooming gangs. Farage suggested this was due to a disagreement over Musk's support for far-right activist Tommy Robinson.
The Reform UK leader has distanced himself from Musk's support for Tommy Robinson, a far-right activist who is serving a jail term in the UK for contempt of court. He said Musk's comments were "a surprise", but that he would "never sell out my principles".
The comment from the tech entrepreneur comes hours after Farage described Musk as a "friend" in an interview on the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg programme.
Musk has been a vocal supporter of calls by Reform UK and the Conservative Party for a national inquiry into grooming gangs.
But this week a rift emerged over Musk's support for Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court.
In a social media post on Sunday in response to Musk's comments,, external Farage said: "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 the interview broadcast earlier on Sunday, Farage told the BBC that the fact that Musk "supports me politically and supports Reform doesn't mean I have to agree with every single statement he makes on X".
Farage said he planned to "have a conversation with (Musk) on a variety of things" - including Robinson - at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Farage has maintained close ties to Trump, who has given Musk a role in his administration.
Farage founded Reform UK in 2018, then called the Brexit Party, and returned as the party's leader before being elected as an MP in 2024.Farage founded Reform UK in 2018, then called the Brexit Party, and returned as the party's leader before being elected as an MP in 2024.
It is unclear what has compelled Musk to turn on Farage.
Speaking to the BBC's Sunday with Laura Kuenssberg, Farage described Musk as a "friend" and said he planned to "have a conversation with him on a variety of things" - including Robinson - at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Farage has maintained close ties Trump, who has brought Musk on as an adviser.