cross-posted from: https://feddit.uk/post/22307245
Elon Musk continues flexing his political muscle in 2025, calling for the release of a controversial British far-right political figure and increasing his support for a German far-right party.
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The Tesla CEO then made a slew of controversial comments in support of German and British right-wing movements.
He said he might invest upwards of $127 million into the right-wing Reform U.K. Party and later said the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party is the "only" party that can "save Germany," while rejecting the idea that the party is "rightwing extremist."
Musk wasted little time in the new year before he hit out at the British government, calling for the release of Tommy Robinson, a pseudonym for Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.
Robinson was a member of the English Defence League, a British social movement that has been described as racist and Islamophobic. He is among the most prominent far-right activists in the U.K.
Robinson is currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court after he aired a documentary that a judge said contained libelous claims about a 15-year-old Syrian refugee. This is Robinson's fifth prison term.
Musk posted the full one hour and forty-five-minute documentary to X, formerly known as Twitter, along with a message to "Free Tommy Robinson!"
Politico spoke with a number of British members of parliament (MP) who expressed shock over Musk's backing of Robinson. One anonymous Labour MP called Musk's language "dangerous," while another called it "manipulative rhetoric."
Robinson has also drawn criticism from other right-wing activists and politicians.
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What People Are Saying
Former British Prime Minister Liz Truss wrote on X: "I am appalled by the attacks on free speech in Britain and Europe. We can't be truly free without free speech. Good for Elon Musk and X for standing up to these bullies."
Alex Jones of "InfoWars" reposted the Robinson documentary and wrote on X: "Tommy Robinson is an absolute hero! He is now in solitary confinement for defying the courts orders not to release his film exposed a huge Islamic child kidnapping sex ring! The totalitarian UK government governments attempt to suppress Tommy's film has completely failed and now it has over 122 million views."
"Veep" creator Armando Iannucci, who was born and raised in Scotland, wrote on X: Musk is a "dangerous fool" for supporting Robinson.
Labour MP for Walthamstow Stella Creasy responded to Musk's support of Robinson on X, writing: "Tommy Robinson is in jail for contempt of court because he repeated false claims against a Syrian refugee. Its not a 'debate'. Its a lie and he tried to use it to foment anger and hatred in our society for political gain. Elon Musk appears to be doing the same."
Shayan Sardarizadeh, a senior journalist for BBC Verify, wrote on X: "The owner of this app seems unaware that Tommy Robinson is in prison because he admitted to contempt of court after repeating false claims about a Syrian refugee who had been physically attacked at school despite being instructed by a court not to do so."
Who would have thought that a Nazi supports Nazis?