Money, lawyers or boosting Farage on X: how Elon Musk could affect UK politics

The billionaire, having helped Trump regain the White House, is reportedly turning his interest to Britain

Elon Musk appears to have many obsessions. The world’s richest man is evangelical about electric vehicles, space travel and Donald Trump. Another of his interests may yet have profound consequences for the UK: British politics.

The billionaire is reported to be thinking of becoming the biggest donor in history with a rumoured £80m payment to Nigel’s Farage’s Reform UK party.

Topics

Elon Musk's Tesla lobbied UK to charge petrol drivers more

Musk's firm backed the government's green stance, despite its maverick chief executive's social media attacks.
BBC News - 12h
From X to Bluesky: why are people fleeing Elon Musk’s ‘digital town square’?

Musk’s platform has lost 2.7 million active US users in two months, while its rival has gained 2.5 million. A mass departure from Elon Musk’s X has led to the site losing about 2.7 million active ...
The Guardian - 1d
UK politics live: Kemi Badenoch criticised by Nigerian vice president for ‘denigrating’ his country

Kashim Shettima said Nigerians are proud of Badenoch’s achievements, despite her denigrating the country where she was brought up. Rachel Reeves has rejected Lib Dem criticism (see 10.33am ) ...
The Guardian - 1d
Musk’s Efficiency Role Could Boost Tech-Defense Partnerships

Smaller military technology companies may be involved in more joint projects with big defense contractors.
Inc. - 2d
Elon Musk’s rumoured $100m donation may just fuel a fresh look at UK political funding

Though denied, the mere fact a foreign billionaire could chuck so much money at one party might just spur rule changes. Elon Musk has denied he is gearing up to chuck $100m at Nigel Farage’s Reform ...
The Guardian - 3d
Elon Musk risks being 'political puppet master', says Nick Clegg

The former deputy PM turned top Meta boss tells Nick Robinson that Musk is playing an "outsized" role in US politics.
BBC News - 5d
Jeff Bezos and Sam Altman Discuss Elon Musk’s Political Power at DealBook Summit

At the DealBook summit, some billionaires and political leaders marveled at the tech mogul’s reach, access to the levers of power, and staggering wealth.
The New York Times - Dec. 4
Massive Elon Musk donation news to me, says Farage

Claims the X mogul is planning to donate $100m to Reform UK are dismissed by party leader Nigel Farage.
BBC News - Dec. 3
Can we keep the Elon Musks of the world out of British politics? Only if we act now | Oliver Bullough

The tech billionaire is said to be considering giving $100m to Reform UK. That should jolt efforts to cap political donations. It is an inevitable consequence of the inequality inherent to the ...
The Guardian - Dec. 3