Most recently, Musk spread conspiracy theories about Muslim “grooming gangs” in the UK, and called for the release of Tommy Robinson, a far-right activist, from prison. Musk's support for Robinson, who has a history of posting racist and Islamophobic content, initially saw Reform UK leader Nigel Farage push back against the X owner. But in a TV show he hosted on right-wing GB News this week, Farage appeared to kneel before Musk.
“I don't think (Robinson) is wrong in everything he said,” Farage told viewers. “I wonder why he is in prison and in solitary confinement.” (Robinson is in prison after being found in contempt of court for repeating lies about a Syrian refugee.)
Last year, Musk spent months fighting Brazilian supreme court judge Alexandre de Moraes after the court issued an order requiring X to remove certain accounts and content that it said violated the law by undermining confidence in the integrity of the country's elections. After Brazil's right-wing president Jair Bolsonaro lost his re-election bid in 2022, his supporters stormed the country's legislature on January 8, 2023claimed the election was stolen (it wasn't), reminiscent of the January 6, 2021 insurrection at the US Capitol. Moraes is steadfast Bolsonaro's opponent. The Jordan came out on top, then announced them publicly.
At that time, many people in Brazil believed that Musk's actions and orders were a move to undermine the country's democracy and sovereignty. A Brazilian court eventually issued an order blocking X in the country for non-compliance and issued a fine to Musk-owned Starlink, with X subsequently complying with the order.
He is also fierce attack Nicolas MaduroPresident of Venezuela, in the country's election (which many in the international community believe was rigged).
“He has established himself as a powerful hub of connection between different groups of people across many countries,” said Christian Katzenbach, professor of media and communication at the University of Bremen. Those groups include tech workers, moderate conservatives, economic libertarians and right-wing movements. “These groups did not previously have many connections, but are increasingly banding together to oppose modern centre/left governments.” By amplifying diverse voices, he said, Musk is actively bringing right-wing perspectives into mainstream debates and opening up new populations as voters for right-wing parties.
Even without elections, Musk appears to be building alliances with like-minded leaders. In April, Musk met with Argentina's right-wing president Javier Milei. Milei's government has cut spending the way Musk has said in an X post “will be a useful model for the rest of the world.” Argentina's poverty rate under the Milei government has increased by more than 50 percent.
And while Musk certainly seems motivated by specific political ideologies, Katzenbach noted that Musk's involvement in European politics could benefit his business, especially by rolling back social media regulations across the bloc or opening up new avenues for his companies. The EU is currently X probe for violating the Digital Services Act (DSA), which could result in fines. In Italy, Musk is sought agreement with the right-wing government led by Giorgia Meloni for a deal to deploy satellite communications through Starlink for $1.5 billion, which would compete with the European satellite initiative.
“Internationally, his motives are certainly mixed,” Katzenbach said. But no matter what, Musk seems determined to become a political force beyond national borders.
David Gilbert contributed reporting.