British Prime Minister Keir Starmer counters Elon Musk's online claims, rejecting his “lies and misinformation” about child sex grooming gangs in the United Kingdom. European leaders recently criticized Elon Musk for interfering in politics abroad as leaders prepare for Donald Trump's return.
U.K.’s Keir Starmer Hits Back at Elon Musk’s ‘Lies’
Elon Musk, the world's richest man and owner of X, used his social media platform to reignite a years-old “scandal” involving historic child sex abuse in parts of England.
In one post, Musk urged King Charles III to dissolve Parliament and call for new elections in Britain. In another, he demanded the imprisonment of Starmer’s safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, labeling her “pure evil” and “a wicked creature.” On Monday, Musk also said that Starmer should be imprisoned.
Furthermore, Musk called for the release of far-right activist Tommy Robinson from jail.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned those “spreading lies and misinformation” about child sex grooming gangs in the U.K., responding to the online storm stirred up by Elon Musk.
“Those that are spreading lies and misinformation, as far and as wide as possible – they’re not interested in victims, they’re interested in themselves,” Starmer told reporters Monday.
“We’ve seen this playbook many times, whipping up intimidation and threats of violence, hoping that the media will amplify it,” Starmer said.
“When the poison of the far right leads to serious threats to Jess Phillips and others, then in my book, a line has been crossed,” he added.
Starmer said he enjoys “the cut-and-thrust of politics,” but said these debates must “be based on facts and truth, not on lies.”
Musk accused Starmer of being “complicit in the rape of Britain” for not preventing grooming gangs during his tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
In response, Starmer firmly defended his record on Monday, stating that he transformed “the entire approach” that had previously silenced victims and achieved “the highest number of child sexual abuse cases being prosecuted on record.”
Starmer also responded to Musk’s accusation against Phillips, calling her a “rape genocide apologist.” He stated that Phillips had “done a thousand times more” to protect victims of child sexual abuse than those attacking her can “even dream about.”
In response to Sir Keir's comments, Musk labeled him “utterly despicable.”
Musk continued his attacks on Labour figures and the prime minister in a series of posts on social media.
European Leaders Criticize Musk’s Political Interference Abroad
In addition to being one of the wealthiest individuals globally, Musk also serves as a key adviser to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Elon Musk's personal foreign policy of backing far-right parties is stirring outrage among European leaders.
Germany criticized Elon Musk’s attempts to influence the upcoming German election, as he voiced support for the far right.
The German government, led by Chancellor Olaf Scholz, stated on Monday that Musk does not have the influence over German voters that some have suggested.
“The normal people, the sensible people, the decent people are far in the majority in this country,” a spokesperson said, a week after accusing Musk of using his social media platform, X, to promote the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) ahead of the February elections.
“We act as if Mr. Musk's statements... could influence a country of 84 million people with untruths or half-truths or expressions of opinion. This is simply not the case,” he added.
France's President Emmanuel Macron also raised concerns over Musk's interference. “Ten years ago, who could have imagined it if we had been told that the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world would support a new international reactionary movement and intervene directly in elections, including in Germany,” said Macron.
Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store also responded to Musk, expressing concern over his involvement in international politics. Store stated that it was “worrying” for a man with significant influence on social networks and vast economic resources to be “so directly involved in the internal affairs of other countries.”
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