Fri Jan 03 16:53:26 UTC 2025: ## Elon Musk’s X Posts Demand Release of Jailed Far-Right Activist Tommy Robinson

**London, UK —** Billionaire Elon Musk has ignited a firestorm of controversy in the UK with a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter) calling for the release of Tommy Robinson, a far-right activist currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court.

Musk’s tweets, posted on January 1st and 2nd, 2025, claim Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, is unjustly imprisoned for “telling the truth.” One post questioned why Robinson was in solitary confinement, while another simply stated that he “should be freed.” Musk’s support for Robinson follows the activist’s release of a documentary, viewed over 146 million times on X, claiming he was silenced by the state. The documentary itself is linked to Robinson’s conviction, stemming from his repeated violation of a court injunction against him. This injunction was issued following a libel case in which Robinson was ordered to pay £100,000 in damages for defaming a Syrian refugee boy.

Robinson has a long history of run-ins with the law, including previous convictions for assault, mortgage fraud, and contempt of court. He is the founder of the English Defence League, a far-right, Islamophobic organization.

Musk’s intervention comes amidst a renewed focus on a long-running grooming gang scandal in Oldham, England. While Musk claims Robinson was attempting to expose this scandal, critics point to Robinson’s history of inflammatory rhetoric and unsubstantiated claims.

The timing of Musk’s support is notable, coinciding with recent GB News reports blaming the newly elected Labour government for inaction on the grooming gang issue. Musk has amplified these reports and further criticized Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

Musk’s actions have drawn sharp criticism. Health Secretary Wes Streeting called Musk’s views “misjudged and misinformed,” while Labour MP Stella Creasy described Musk as a “big problem for democracy.” The controversy further highlights Musk’s recent pattern of supporting right-wing figures across Europe, including the AfD in Germany and Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party. Farage, who previously resigned from UKIP after appointing Robinson as an advisor, has yet to comment on Musk’s latest posts.

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