Elon Musk Tweets Being Investigated By UK Counter-Extremism Unit
AP Photo/Susan Walsh
The British government’s counter-extremism unit is reportedly investigating Elon Musk’s tweets after his vocal condemnation of Labour officials over the grooming gangs scandal.
According to the Daily Mirror, the Home Office has “stepped up social media monitoring” of high-profile accounts, with the billionaire’s fiery posts drawing particular attention.
Musk, who owns X, recently railed against government leaders, accusing them of mishandling the controversy and branding safeguarding minister Jess Phillips a “rape genocide apologist” after she rejected a request for a national inquiry. Phillips said she felt Musk was “endangering her.”
Authorities disclosed that a man in Devon has been charged with sending malicious communications to Phillips, and she now reportedly has close protection officers.
The Home Office, which “could neither confirm nor deny” the involvement of its counter-extremism unit to The Telegraph, was quoted as saying: “We keep a close eye on how disinformation and hate can proliferate, including online.” Officials also pointed to concerns over “those who are spreading lies and misinformation.”
Meanwhile, Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer contends that “victims need action” rather than new investigations. He recently suggested the billionaire “crossed a line” with personal attacks on government figures.
Musk’s criticism has reportedly broadened to include political aspirations, with sources telling the Financial Times on Thursday that he is assessing options to unseat Starmer. One source said that Musk felt that “western civilization itself is threatened” by the current political establishment.
John Woodcock, the government’s adviser on political violence, told The Telegraph: “Britain’s democracy isn’t a plaything for foreign billionaires – Elon Musk needs to back off and concentrate on his rockets and his cars or whatever he wants to obsess about next.”
