Elon Musk has called for Nigel Farage to be replaced as the leader of Reform UK.
The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 5, 2025
In a post on his social media site X, Musk said that Farage “doesn’t have what it takes” to lead the party. This comes just weeks after it was claimed that Musk was in talks to donate a large sum to Reform UK.
NEW
Nigel Farage to his supporters in Leicester on having the backing of Elon Musk: "At least with Elon we have got free speech back. He is a hero."
More at @GBNEWS.
— Christopher Hope📝 (@christopherhope) January 3, 2025
Farage had recently defended Musk, saying that “free speech was back” after the tech entrepreneur attacked the UK government’s response to grooming gangs. However, Farage has distanced himself from Musk’s support for Tommy Robinson, a far-right activist who is currently serving a jail term in the UK for contempt of court. Farage founded Reform UK in 2018, initially called the Brexit Party, and returned as the party’s leader before being elected as an MP in 2024.
Musk criticizes Farage’s leadership abilities
The reasons behind Musk’s sudden change of heart regarding Farage’s leadership are unclear.
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Nigel Farage on Elon Musk's comments on Tommy Robinson.
Asked if he would "accept Robinson as a member of your party", Farage told me on @GBNEWS: "No."
Farage said: "We are a political party aiming to win the next general election. He's not what we need."
On Musk's call to…— Christopher Hope📝 (@christopherhope) January 3, 2025
Farage had previously described Musk as a “friend” and expressed his intention to discuss various topics with him, including Robinson, at the inauguration of President-elect Donald Trump.
Farage has maintained close ties with Trump, who has brought Musk on as an adviser. In recent developments, former Tory MP Marco Longhi defected to Reform UK, with Farage making the announcement at the party’s conference. The party has been focusing on issues such as council finances and the volatile world economy.
Farage claims that his party has made history and is now the “real opposition.” Reform UK also removed a Scottish official after a family claim, insisting that it “will not tolerate discrimination of anyone in any form.”
As the political landscape continues to evolve in 2025, Farage and former UK Trade Minister Kemi Badenoch have clashed over membership figures. Farage maintains that Reform UK is a significant political force heading into the future.
April Isaacs is a news contributor for DevX.com She is long-term, self-proclaimed nerd. She loves all things tech and computers and still has her first Dreamcast system. It is lovingly named Joni, after Joni Mitchell.
