Mon Jan 06 07:02:22 UTC 2025: ## Musk Ditches Farage After Row Over Jailed Activist
**London, UK** – Elon Musk has abruptly withdrawn his support for Nigel Farage and the Reform UK party, just days after publicly endorsing them. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO’s reversal follows a disagreement over the jailed far-right activist, Stephen Yaxley-Lennon (Tommy Robinson).
Musk, who had previously claimed Yaxley-Lennon was imprisoned for “telling the truth” about a child grooming scandal, now asserts that Reform UK needs new leadership. He declared on X (formerly Twitter), “The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes.”
This sharp turn comes after Farage distanced himself from Yaxley-Lennon, clarifying that his imprisonment stemmed from contempt of court, not free speech regarding the scandal. Farage stated that Yaxley-Lennon was not aligned with the party’s electoral goals.
Musk’s initial backing of Reform UK included claims it was the only party that could “save Britain,” and reports of ongoing donation negotiations. Farage expressed surprise at Musk’s volte-face, maintaining his stance on Yaxley-Lennon and rejecting any compromise on his principles.
The billionaire’s involvement in UK politics has sparked controversy. He previously accused UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer of complicity in the Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal, a claim dismissed as “misjudged and misinformed” by UK Health Secretary Wes Streeting. The Rotherham case, involving the abuse of at least 1,400 children, highlighted systemic failures by authorities.
Musk’s increasingly frequent political endorsements across the globe include previous support for Donald Trump and the German far-right Alternative for Germany party. His actions continue to generate significant debate and scrutiny.
First Piper 