Nigel Farage places on a courageous face regardless of Elon Musk humiliation

Nigel Farage put a brave face on things as he left home the day after he was humiliated by the world’s richest man.

Elon Musk demanded Reform UK finds a new leader, just hours after fawning Mr Farage described him as a “hero” and said his support makes the party “look cool”. The billionaire dramatically claimed Mr Farage “doesn’t have what it takes”, and suggested former Southampton FC chairman Rupert Lowe takes charge instead.

The pair appear to have fallen out over Musk’s support for Tommy Robinson. Musk posted on Twitter /X: “The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes.”

The Tesla and Twitter/X boss – a key advisor to Donald Trump, later wrote: “I have not met Rupert Lowe, but his statements online that I have read so far make a lot of sense.” It follows weeks of cosying up together, with Mr Farage suggesting Musk could plough millions of pounds into his party. In a TV interview screened on Sunday, the Reform leader refused to condemn the billionaire for an attack on Keir Starmer and Jess Phillips which have been branded a “disgraceful smear”.

In an interview with the BBC’s Laura Kuenssberg, the Reform UK boss said: “He may well give us money. Whether he does or not, I think what he gives us with huge numbers of young people, he makes us look cool.”

In recent days Musk, a key advisor to Donald Trump, has said Tommy Robinson should be freed and voiced his support for Germany’s far-right AfD party. Following Musk’s intervention Mr Farage retorted: “Well, this is a surprise! Elon is a remarkable individual but on this I am afraid I disagree. My view remains that Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform and I never sell out my principles.”

Musk has previously given his backing to Reform, meeting Mr Farage and new treasurer Nick Candy at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort last month.

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At the time Mr Farage dubbed the meeting “historic”. Before the bromance soured Mr Farage refused to hit out at his mega-rich ally, who launched an inflammatory attack on the Labour politicians last week. He said the billionaire had used “very tough terms” but “in public life, tough things get said”.

Asked if he was reluctant to criticise Mr Musk because of a potential donation, Mr Farage said: “I think I made it perfectly clear that I don’t agree with everything he stands for, but I do believe in free speech. I think he’s a hero, and I said that well before any potential money was offered.”

But he hinted at disagreements between the two, stating: “The fact that Musk supports me and supports Reform doesn’t mean as two grown ups, we have to agree with everything the other says.”

Mr Musk sparked outrage by claiming Home Office Minister Jess Phillips should be jailed and Mr Starmer should be ousted after the Government rejected a national inquiry into grooming gangs.

On Monday morning Mr Starmer has accused Musk and his supporters of “spreading lies and misinformation” with no regard for sex abuse victims. In a scathing attack on the “poison of the far-right” he said a line “had been crossed” with misleading attacks on himself and Ms Phillips. In recent days Ms Phillips has faced threats, he said, after Musk posted a string of abusive messages about her.

A visibly angry Mr Starmer hit out at Tory MPs for not condemining Musk’s attacks – saying they need to consider why they got into politics. He also voiced his fury at those like the tech billionaire who support far-right agitator Tommy Robinson, and defended his record tackling grooming gangs.

The PM said: “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. Those cheerleading Tommy Robinson aren’t interested in justice. They’re supporting a man who went to prison for nearly collapsing a grooming case.”