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Elon Musk has discussed privately with allies how Sir Keir Starmer can be removed as UK prime minister before the next general election, according to people briefed on the matter.
Muskthe world's richest man and a key confidant of US president-elect Donald Trump, is exploring how he and his right-wing allies can destabilize the UK Labor government beyond violent posts on his social media platform X, the people said.
“His view is that western civilization itself is under threat,” added one of the people.
Musk sought information on whether it is possible to build the support of other British political parties – especially the right-wing populist Reform UK party – to force a change of prime minister before the next election, according to partners.
In the UK's parliamentary system, prime ministers exercise power because they lead a multi-member body in Parliament.
Many prime ministers in recent decades, including Sir Tony Blair and Boris Johnson, have won majorities in elections, but have been left out of parliament because of their popularity.
The chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX, who was appointed by Trump to lead the project to strengthen spending in the US government, has taken a great interest in British politics in the past six months, and made a strong criticism of Starmer's government.
Last week he wanted a new one A national investigation into the history of criminal justice involving the sexual exploitation of girls by predominantly British-Pakistani male gangs in many UK towns and cities.
Musk accused Starmer, a former director of child abuse in England and Wales, of being “complicit” in Britain's rape.
He described Jess Phillips, the defense minister, as a “rape advocate” after he rejected Oldham council's request for the Home Office to hold a Whitehall-led inquiry into misconduct in the Greater Manchester town.
Starmer strongly rejected Musk's criticism during his time as prosecutor. He said on Monday that those “spreading lies and false information” are not interested in the victims but “in themselves”. Phillips accuses Musk of putting his life in danger.
Matt Goodwin, a right-wing political commentator, said Musk – and other Americans – were “fascinated” by the gang's accusation in the UK last week partly because it was “so terrifying”.
But he said he believed it was because Musk “may not trust the Labor government and Keir Starmer”.
Musk reached out for comment.
In a shocking move over the weekend, Musk took a ride on Nigel Faragedashing the UK Reform leader's hopes that the billionaire will make a big donation to his party soon.
Musk said “the Reform party needs a new leader” and “Farage doesn't have what it takes”.
Musk has vetted potential replacements for Farage as party leader, including UK MP Rupert Lowe, and explored options for his replacement, according to people briefed on his thinking.
UK reform has enjoyed a surge in support in recent months, with opinion polls showing that 22 percent of the public backs the party, up from 14 percent at the time of the July election.
Labour, meanwhile, is on 28 per cent, with the Tories on 24 per cent, according to a Politico poll.
Musk and Farage's split comes after the two met at Trump's Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida last month, and the Reform UK leader described the serial entrepreneur as a “friend”.
Farage on Tuesday downplayed the insult. He told LBC radio that he will see Musk this month, and plans to travel to the US to attend Trump's inauguration in Washington.
“I have no desire to fight Elon Musk and I will not,” he added.
Starmer, by contrast, is not expected to attend Trump's inauguration. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch also does not plan to attend.
Additional reporting by Lucy Fisher