Elon Musk slams Nigel Farage for 'not having what it takes' as he claims Reform UK 'needs a NEW leader'

WATCH: Richard Tice on Elon Musk's support for Reform and Tommy Robinson

GB News
George Bunn

By George Bunn


Published: 05/01/2025

- 14:06

Updated: 05/01/2025

- 15:03

Farage had previously defended Musk's ownership of X

Elon Musk has called for Nigel Farage to stand down as Reform UK leader, saying he "doesn't have what it takes."

He wrote on X: "The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes."


It comes after Farage had launched a defence of Musk’s social media attacks on Sir Keir Starmer, saying that "free speech is back."

Farage had previously met with Musk alongside party chancellor Nick Candy over discussions the billionaire could donate to the party.

Musk, Candy and Farage

Nigel Farage had previously claimed Elon Musk will help Reform UK

STUART MITCHELL

Former Reform Party Deputy Leader Ben Habib told GB News he believes Musk was "right" to post this. GB News has approached Reform UK for a comment.

Earlier this week, Musk accused Sir Keir Starmer of being "complicit in the rape of Britain" and has said Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips "deserves to be in prison."

When asked by the BBC about Musk's comments about Labour ministers, Farage said: "The fact that Musk supports me and supports Reform doesn’t mean as two grown-ups we have to agree with everything the other says.

"I believe in free speech even if what people say is offensive, if you find it offensive, if most people find it offensive.

"Would I rather live in a world where we’re free to cause offence rather than a world in which free speech and debate get shut down? I know which of those two I prefer."

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MuskElon Musk has said Starmer was 'complicit' in the 'worst mass crime in the history of Britain'GETTY

The Tesla owner had a meeting with Farage in December at US president-elect Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, which the Reform UK leader described as "historic."

The meeting came amid reports the billionaire was considering donating up to £79million to Reform UK.

However, tensions rose when Musk came out in support of former English Defence Leader Tommy Robinson, someone who both Farage and Richard Tice have distanced themselves from.

Farage said: "Everyone says, well, what about [Musk's] comments on Tommy Robinson? Look, my position is perfectly clear on that. I never wanted Tommy Robinson to join UKIP, I don't want him to join Reform UK, and he won't be."

He later said: "Musk sees Robinson as one of these people that fought against the grooming gangs...the truth is Tommy Robinson is in prison not for that, but for contempt of court."

"We're a political party aiming to win the next general election. He's not what we need."

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