International relations of Elon Musk

File:Prime Minister of Bharat, Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi with Tesla CEO, Mr. Elon Musk.jpg in Washington, D.C. on February 13, 2025]]

{{Excerpt|Views of Elon Musk#Politics and elections}}

{{Tweet

| name = Elon Musk 15px

| username = elonmusk

| date = July 24, 2020

| text = We will coup whoever we want! Deal with it.

| ID = 1286866843307737088

| image = Elon Musk Royal Society (crop2).jpg

| reference = {{Cite tweet |last=Musk |first=Elon |user=elonmusk |number=1286866843307737088 |date=July 25, 2020 |title=We will coup whoever we want! Deal with it.… |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725040621/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1286866843307737088 |archive-date=July 25, 2020 |access-date=February 8, 2025}}

| ref-name = Coup-2020

}}

In July 2020, Musk tweeted, "We will coup whoever we want" in response to a Twitter user who implied that the US government organized a coup (referring to the 2019 Bolivian political crisis) against Evo Morales for Musk to obtain lithium from Bolivia. Musk's tweet caused controversy and was later deleted.{{cite web |last=Cota |first=Isabella |date=February 14, 2022 |title=How nations sitting on lithium reserves are handling the new 'white gold' rush |url=https://english.elpais.com/economy-and-business/2022-02-14/how-nations-sitting-on-lithium-reserves-are-handling-the-new-white-gold-rush.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427102456/https://english.elpais.com/economy-and-business/2022-02-14/how-nations-sitting-on-lithium-reserves-are-handling-the-new-white-gold-rush.html |archive-date=April 27, 2022 |access-date=April 29, 2022 |work=El País}}{{cite web |last=Olla |first=Akin |date=May 8, 2021 |title=Why is SNL giving Elon Musk yet another platform? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/08/elon-musk-snl-saturday-night-live-hosting-politics |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220429142410/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/may/08/elon-musk-snl-saturday-night-live-hosting-politics |archive-date=April 29, 2022 |access-date=April 29, 2022 |work=The Guardian}}

In January 2022, Musk tweeted "Canadian truckers rule", endorsing the Canada convoy protest, branded as the "Freedom Convoy" by its organizers.{{cite news |last1=Ljunggren |first1=David |date=January 27, 2022 |title=Anti-vaccine Canada truckers roll toward Ottawa, praised by Tesla's Musk |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/anti-vaccine-canada-truckers-roll-toward-ottawa-praised-by-teslas-musk-2022-01-27/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220127205337/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/anti-vaccine-canada-truckers-roll-toward-ottawa-praised-by-teslas-musk-2022-01-27/ |archive-date=January 27, 2022 |access-date=April 27, 2022 |publisher=Reuters}}{{cite news |last1=Ling |first1=Justin |date=February 8, 2022 |title=5G and QAnon: how conspiracy theorists steered Canada's anti-vaccine trucker protest |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/08/canada-ottawa-trucker-protest-extremist-qanon-neo-nazi |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220208080607/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/feb/08/canada-ottawa-trucker-protest-extremist-qanon-neo-nazi |archive-date=February 8, 2022 |work=The Guardian}} Musk tweeted extensively in support of the protest, which began as a denunciation of COVID-19 vaccine mandates for truck drivers crossing the Canada–United States border, but morphed into being against COVID-19 restrictions in general.{{cite news |last1=Layson |first1=Greg |date=January 30, 2022 |title=Elon Musk heaps more praise on trucker convoy in Ottawa to protest vaccine mandates |url=https://canada.autonews.com/executives/elon-musk-heaps-more-praise-trucker-convoy-ottawa-protest-vaccine-mandates |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220130221821/https://canada.autonews.com/executives/elon-musk-heaps-more-praise-trucker-convoy-ottawa-protest-vaccine-mandates |archive-date=January 30, 2022 |work=Automotive News}} In February, apparently supporting the protest, Musk tweeted and later deleted a meme comparing Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau to Adolf Hitler.{{Cite news |last=Neate |first=Rupert |date=February 17, 2022 |title=Elon Musk criticised for likening Justin Trudeau to Adolf Hitler in tweet |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/feb/17/elon-musk-criticised-for-comparing-justin-trudeau-to-adolf-hitler-tweet-auschwitz |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077 |archive-date=April 27, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427015511/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/feb/17/elon-musk-criticised-for-comparing-justin-trudeau-to-adolf-hitler-tweet-auschwitz |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Bowden |first=John |date=February 17, 2022 |title=Elon Musk tweets then deletes meme comparing Canada's Trudeau to Hitler |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-trudeau-hitler-canada-b2017472.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128025036/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/elon-musk-trudeau-hitler-canada-b2017472.html |archive-date=January 28, 2023 |access-date=February 7, 2025 |work=The Independent |language=en-GB |url-status=live}} That same month, Auschwitz-Birkenau State Museum portrayed Musk as having exploited the tragedy of the Holocaust, and the American Jewish Committee asked Musk to apologize.{{cite news |date=February 17, 2022 |title=Elon Musk tweets, then deletes, meme comparing Trudeau to Hitler |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/elon-musk-tweets-then-deletes-meme-comparing-trudeau-hitler-2022-02-17/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220217223330/https://www.reuters.com/world/elon-musk-tweets-then-deletes-meme-comparing-trudeau-hitler-2022-02-17/ |archive-date=February 17, 2022 |access-date=April 27, 2022 |publisher=Reuters}}{{cite news |last1=Neate |first1=Rupert |date=February 17, 2022 |title=Elon Musk criticised for likening Justin Trudeau to Adolf Hitler in tweet |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/feb/17/elon-musk-criticised-for-comparing-justin-trudeau-to-adolf-hitler-tweet-auschwitz |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220427015511/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/feb/17/elon-musk-criticised-for-comparing-justin-trudeau-to-adolf-hitler-tweet-auschwitz |archive-date=April 27, 2022 |access-date=April 27, 2022 |work=The Guardian}}

{{Tweet

| name = Elon Musk 15px

| username = elonmusk

| date = July 1, 2021

| text = The economic prosperity that China has achieved is truly amazing, especially in infrastructure! I encourage people to visit and see for themselves.

| ID = 1410413958805270533

| image = Elon Musk Royal Society (crop2).jpg

| reference = {{Cite tweet |last=Musk |first=Elon |user=elonmusk |number=1410413958805270533 |date=July 1, 2021 |title=The economic prosperity that China has achieved is truly amazing, especially in infrastructure! I encourage people to visit and see for themselves. |access-date=February 9, 2025 |language=en}}

| ref-name = China-2021

| left =

}}

Musk has praised China's economic and climate goals and has been described as having a close relationship with the Chinese government, allowing access to its markets for Tesla.{{cite news |last=He |first=Laura |date=March 24, 2021 |title=Elon Musk is trying to win China back |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/24/tech/elon-musk-china-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709182137/https://www.cnn.com/2021/03/24/tech/elon-musk-china-intl-hnk/index.html |archive-date=July 9, 2021 |access-date=July 1, 2021 |publisher=CNN}}{{Cite news |last=Choi |first=Martin |date=January 10, 2019 |title=Tesla boss Elon Musk says he loves China, so Premier Li Keqiang offers him a green card |url=https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2181556/tesla-boss-elon-musk-says-he-loves-china-so-premier-li-keqiang |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190110124357/https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/2181556/tesla-boss-elon-musk-says-he-loves-china-so-premier-li-keqiang |archive-date=January 10, 2019 |access-date=December 20, 2024 |work=South China Morning Post}} After Gigafactory Shanghai produced its first batch of vehicles, Musk thanked the Chinese government and Chinese people while criticizing the United States and its people.{{Cite book |last1=Marquis |first1=Christopher |author-link=Christopher Marquis |url= |title=Mao and Markets: The Communist Roots of Chinese Enterprise |last2=Qiao |first2=Kunyuan |date=2022 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0-300-26883-6 |location=New Haven |doi=10.2307/j.ctv3006z6k |jstor=j.ctv3006z6k |oclc=1348572572 |s2cid=253067190}}{{Rp|pages=207–208}} In an interview in December 2020, Musk stated that based on his experience with the government of China, they have been "possibly more responsive to the happiness of people than in the U.S."{{Cite news |last1=Kubota |first1=Yoko |last2=Huang |first2=Raffaele |date=November 24, 2024 |title=China Looks to Musk as Conduit to Trump, Seeking to Ward Off Harsh Policies |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/china/china-looks-to-musk-as-conduit-to-trump-seeking-to-ward-off-harsh-policies-bdbb5a4a |access-date=December 28, 2024 |work=The Wall Street Journal}} On the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party, Musk praised China's "economic prosperity" and encouraged people to visit China.{{cite news |last=Toh |first=Michelle |date=July 1, 2021 |title=Elon Musk praises China's 'economic prosperity' on 100th anniversary of Chinese Communist Party |url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/01/business/elon-musk-chinese-communist-party-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701080943/https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/01/business/elon-musk-chinese-communist-party-intl-hnk/index.html |archive-date=July 1, 2021 |access-date=July 1, 2021 |publisher=CNN}}

{{Quote box

| quote = To that end, any area that contributes to a sustainable future is worthy of our investment. Whether it's Tesla, Neuralink, or SpaceX, these companies were all founded with the ultimate goal of enhancing the future of human life and creating as much practical value for the world as possible — Tesla to accelerate the world's transition to sustainable energy, Neuralink for medical rehabilitation, SpaceX for making interstellar connections possible.

| author = Elon Musk and Eric Jing Xiandong

| source = contributing to Cyber Space, July 2022

| align = left

| width = 220px

| salign = right

}}

In 2022, Musk wrote an article for the official publication of Cyberspace Administration of China, advocating for transition to sustainable and clean energy.{{Cite web |last=Roth |first=Emma |date=August 13, 2022 |title=Elon Musk pitches lofty goals in a magazine run by China's internet censorship agency |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/13/23304250/elon-musk-pitch-magazine-china-cyberspace-cac-censorship-agency-tesla-spacex-neuralink |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816204257/https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/13/23304250/elon-musk-pitch-magazine-china-cyberspace-cac-censorship-agency-tesla-spacex-neuralink |archive-date=August 16, 2022 |access-date=August 17, 2022 |work=The Verge}}{{Cite news |date=August 15, 2022 |title=Now Elon Musk Is Telling China's Censors About His Vision for the Future |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-15/musk-is-telling-china-s-censors-about-his-vision-for-the-future |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231207175217/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-08-15/musk-is-telling-china-s-censors-about-his-vision-for-the-future |archive-date=December 7, 2023 |access-date=August 17, 2022 |work=Bloomberg News}} His contribution was described by The Verge as conflicting with his advocacy for free speech due to the organization's enforcement of Internet censorship in China. In 2024, Musk described himself as "kind of pro-China",{{Cite news |last=Hvistendahl |first=Mara |date=March 27, 2024 |title=How Elon Musk Became 'Kind of Pro-China' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/27/world/asia/musk-china-tesla-explained.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241223185228/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/27/world/asia/musk-china-tesla-explained.html |archive-date=December 23, 2024 |access-date=December 23, 2024 |work=The New York Times}} and a year later, during a visit to Beijing, he declared he was a "huge fan of China."{{Cite news |last=Kranish |first=Michael |date=January 11, 2025 |title=Rubio nomination complicated by attack on Musk's Tesla and China's ban |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/11/marco-rubio-china-tesla-trump/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250111111446/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2025/01/11/marco-rubio-china-tesla-trump/ |archive-date=January 11, 2025 |access-date=January 12, 2025 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}

In December 2024, US Representative Rosa DeLauro declared that Musk had pressured House Republicans to remove a restriction on investment in China from a bipartisan government funding bill. Musk responded that DeLauro was an "aweful person" who "needs to be expelled from Congress."{{Cite web |last=Benen |first=Steve |date=December 23, 2024 |title=Why Elon Musk said a House Democrat 'needs to be expelled' from Congress |url=https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/elon-musk-said-house-democrat-needs-expelled-congress-rcna185271 |access-date=February 8, 2025 |publisher=MSNBC |language=en |archive-date=January 21, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250121235531/https://www.msnbc.com/rachel-maddow-show/maddowblog/elon-musk-said-house-democrat-needs-expelled-congress-rcna185271 |url-status=live}}{{Cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |date=December 22, 2024 |title=House Democrats say GOP caved to Musk in funding bill, protecting his China interests |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/21/house-democrats-say-gop-caved-to-elon-musk-protecting-china-interests.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241226235957/https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/21/house-democrats-say-gop-caved-to-elon-musk-protecting-china-interests.html |archive-date=December 26, 2024 |access-date=December 27, 2024 |publisher=CNBC |language=en}} The following month, Musk stated that "the current situation where TikTok is allowed to operate in America, but X is not allowed to operate in China, is unbalanced".{{Cite news |last1=McMorrow |first1=Ryan |last2=Leahy |first2=Joe |date=January 20, 2025 |title=Elon Musk complains about China ban on X as Donald Trump prepares TikTok reprieve |url=https://www.ft.com/content/3390a4c6-2252-4fcf-9472-29ed2ed027f7 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250120171218/https://www.ft.com/content/3390a4c6-2252-4fcf-9472-29ed2ed027f7 |archive-date=January 20, 2025 |access-date=January 20, 2025 |work=Financial Times}}

In January 2025, Musk's relations with China were criticized by Republican Senator Tom Cotton in a book. Cotton wrote that Musk was too close to the Chinese government and too focused on turning a profit in China.{{cite web |last1=Pengelly |first1=Martin |date=February 11, 2025 |title=Top Republican condemns Elon Musk for 'supplication' to China in new book |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/feb/11/elon-musk-donald-trump-tom-cotton-china-book |access-date=February 13, 2025 |work=The Guardian}} In March 2025, the Financial Times and ProPublica reported that wealthy Chinese investors had invested in Musk's private companies via special-purpose entities in the Cayman Islands that avoided public disclosure.{{Cite news |last=Yu |first=Sun |date=March 9, 2025 |title=Chinese investors privately take stakes in Elon Musk's companies |url=https://www.ft.com/content/66857e1e-a217-4ddd-8332-d9f0f75aa459 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250309063818/https://www.ft.com/content/66857e1e-a217-4ddd-8332-d9f0f75aa459 |archive-date=March 9, 2025 |access-date=March 9, 2025 |work=Financial Times}}{{Cite news |last1=Kaplan |first1=Joshua |last2=Elliott |first2=Justin |date=March 26, 2025 |title=How Elon Musk's SpaceX Secretly Allows Investment From China |url=https://www.propublica.org/article/elon-musk-spacex-allows-china-investment-cayman-islands-secrecy |access-date=March 28, 2025 |work=ProPublica}}

{{See also|Political activities of Elon Musk#Germany}}

{{Tweet

| name = Elon Musk 15px

| username = elonmusk

| date = December 20, 2024

| text = Only the AfD can save Germany

| ID = 1869986946031988780

| image = Elon Musk Royal Society (crop2).jpg

| reference = {{Cite tweet |last=Musk |first=Elon |user=elonmusk |number=1869986946031988780 |date=December 20, 2024 |title=Only the AfD can save Germany |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250128000202/https://twitter.com/elonmusk/status/1869986946031988780 |archive-date=January 28, 2025 |access-date=February 8, 2025 |language=en}}

| ref-name = AfD-2024

}}

In 2023, German politicians asserted that Musk was endorsing the Alternative for Germany (AfD), with Musk denying any support for the AfD.{{cite news |last1=Chazan |first1=Guy |last2=Kazmin |first2=Amy |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Elon Musk wades into German-Italian migration spat |url=https://www.ft.com/content/11600482-cb3e-4c48-90c2-6c1672caf954 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231002171739/https://www.ft.com/content/11600482-cb3e-4c48-90c2-6c1672caf954 |archive-date=October 2, 2023 |access-date=October 2, 2023 |work=Financial Times}} In December 2024, Musk tweeted in support of the AfD for Germany{{cite web |last=Nöstlinger |first=Nette |date=December 20, 2024 |title=Backlash builds as Elon Musk endorses Germany's far right |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-endorses-germanys-far-right/ |access-date=December 23, 2024 |work=Politico}}{{cite web |last=Gold |first=Hadas |date=December 20, 2024 |title=Elon Musk endorses far-right German political party, wading deeper into global politics |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2024/12/20/media/elon-musk-afd-germany-politics-far-right/index.html |access-date=December 23, 2024 |publisher=CNN}}{{cite web |last=Connolly |first=Kate |date=December 20, 2024 |title=Outrage as Elon Musk claims 'only AfD can save Germany' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/20/elon-musk-claims-only-afd-can-save-germany |access-date=December 23, 2024 |work=The Guardian}} and published an opinion piece supporting the AfD in the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag.{{cite web |date=December 28, 2024 |title=Elon Musk pens German newspaper opinion piece supporting far-right AfD party |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/28/elon-musk-germany-afd-party |access-date=December 29, 2024 |work=The Guardian}}

{{Quote box

| quote = There is too much focus on past guilt, and we need to move beyond that, [...] It's good to be proud of German culture, German values, and not to lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything.

| author = Elon Musk

| source = speaking virtually at an Alternative for Germany (AfD) event, January 2025

| align = left

| width = 220px

| salign = right

}}

In January 2025, Musk held an interview on X with AfD leader Alice Weidel, ahead of the federal elections.{{multiref2|1={{cite web |last1=Mukherjee |first1=Supantha |last2=Blenkinsop |first2=Philip |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Does Musk's interview with German AfD leader square with EU laws? |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/how-musks-interview-with-german-afd-leader-squares-with-eu-laws-2025-01-09/ |access-date=January 21, 2025 |publisher=Reuters}}|2={{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Musk likely to host German far-right leader for online chat |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/01/02/musk-germany-far-right/77406608007/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107055859/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2025/01/02/musk-germany-far-right/77406608007/ |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |access-date=January 7, 2025 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}|3={{Cite web |date=January 2, 2025 |title=Musk plans discussion with German far-right leader on X |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-discussion-german-far-right-leader-alice-weidel-x/ |access-date=January 7, 2025 |website=Politico |language=en-GB |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107055859/https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-discussion-german-far-right-leader-alice-weidel-x/ |url-status=live}}|4={{Cite web |date=January 2, 2025 |title=Musk plans discussion with German far-right leader on X |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-discussion-german-far-right-leader-alice-weidel-x/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250107055859/https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-discussion-german-far-right-leader-alice-weidel-x/ |archive-date=January 7, 2025 |access-date=January 7, 2025 |website=Politico |language=en-GB}}}} Musk said that his views were shaped by personal experiences dealing with German regulation and his observations about its political culture.{{Cite web |last=Pancevski |first=Bojan |date=January 24, 2025 |title=Exclusive {{!}} Inside Elon Musk's Attack on Germany's Political Establishment |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/europe/elon-musk-germany-politics-afd-support-5e3c0658?mod=Searchresults_pos1&page=1 |access-date=January 25, 2025 |website=The Wall Street Journal |language=en-US}} He subsequently made a surprise virtual appearance at an AfD event, describing the party as "the best hope" for Germany, while denouncing multiculturalism.{{Cite web |last=Contreras |first=Russell |date=January 26, 2025 |title=Musk tells far-right Germany AfD party "there's too much focus on past guilt" |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/01/26/musk-germany-afd-party-past-guilt-holocaust |access-date=February 10, 2025 |website=Axios |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207080133/https://www.axios.com/2025/01/26/musk-germany-afd-party-past-guilt-holocaust |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Osborne |first=Samuel |date=January 26, 2025 |title=Musk urges German far-right supporters to move beyond 'past guilt' in surprise AfD campaign appearance |url=https://news.sky.com/story/musk-urges-german-far-right-supporters-to-move-beyond-past-guilt-in-surprise-afd-campaign-appearance-13296870 |access-date=February 10, 2025 |publisher=Sky News |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Tanno |first=Sophie |date=January 27, 2025 |title=Musk's comments that Germany should 'move beyond' Nazi guilt are dangerous, says Holocaust memorial chair |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/27/europe/israel-holocaust-memorial-chair-musk-criticism-intl/index.html |access-date=February 10, 2025 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=February 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209203004/https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/27/europe/israel-holocaust-memorial-chair-musk-criticism-intl/index.html |url-status=live }} According to The Wall Street Journal, Musk has been "souring" on Germany and its leaders long before December 2024. Tesla's sales in Germany during this time period fell 60%.{{Cite web |last=AFP |date=January 6, 2025 |title=Tesla sales fall 60% in Germany as owner Elon Musk continues to back far right AfD—'nobody wants to be associated with it' |url=https://fortune.com/europe/2025/02/06/tesla-sales-germany-elon-musk-disrupt-elections-far-right-afd/ |access-date=February 8, 2025 |website=Fortune |language=en |archive-date=February 9, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250209213543/https://fortune.com/europe/2025/02/06/tesla-sales-germany-elon-musk-disrupt-elections-far-right-afd/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Butler |first=Eleanor |date=February 7, 2025 |title=Germans say no to Teslas as CEO Elon Musk voices support for far-right |url=https://www.euronews.com/business/2025/02/07/tesla-sales-crash-in-germany-as-ceo-musk-continues-political-activism |access-date=February 8, 2025 |website=Euronews |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Burke |first=Kieran |date=February 6, 2025 |title=Germany: Tesla sales plunge almost 60% in January |url=https://www.dw.com/en/germany-tesla-sales-plunge-almost-60-in-january/a-71533790 |access-date=February 8, 2025 |publisher=Deutsche Welle |language=en}}

File:Isaac Herzog in Beit HaNassi, November 2023 (GPOHZ02222 2).jpeg Isaac Herzog at the Beit HaNassi, November 2023]]

In a podcast interview in November 2023, Musk criticized Israel's actions in the Gaza Strip during the Gaza war, saying that Hamas "wanted to commit the worst atrocities that they could in order to provoke the most aggressive response possible from Israel."{{Cite news |last=Robertson |first=Nick |date=November 10, 2023 |title=Elon Musk says Israel could thwart Hamas with 'conspicuous acts of kindness' |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/4304954-elon-musk-israel-thwart-hamas-with-acts-of-kindness/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113190958/https://thehill.com/policy/international/4304954-elon-musk-israel-thwart-hamas-with-acts-of-kindness/ |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |access-date=February 8, 2025 |work=The Hill |language=en-US}} He also announced a policy change on the X platform, stating that users who use terms like "decolonization" and "from the river to the sea", or similar expressions that, according to him, imply genocide of the Jewish people in Israel, will be suspended.{{Cite web |last=Ioanes |first=Ellen |date=November 24, 2023 |title=The controversial phrase 'from the river to sea,' explained |url=https://www.vox.com/world-politics/23972967/river-to-sea-palestine-israel-hamas |access-date=February 6, 2025 |website=Vox |language=en-US |archive-date=August 19, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240819211539/https://www.vox.com/world-politics/23972967/river-to-sea-palestine-israel-hamas |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |last=Clayton |first=James |date=November 18, 2023 |title=X ad boycott gathers pace amid antisemitism storm |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-67460386 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

{{main|Starlink in the Russian-Ukrainian War|Peace negotiations in the Russian invasion of Ukraine|}}

{{Tweet

| name = Elon Musk 15px

| username = elonmusk

| date = October 3, 2022

| text = Ukraine-Russia Peace:

- Redo elections of annexed regions under UN supervision. Russia leaves if that is will of the people.

- Crimea formally part of Russia, as it has been since 1783 (until Khrushchev's mistake).

- Water supply to Crimea assured.

- Ukraine remains neutral.

| ID = 1576969255031296000

| image = Elon Musk Royal Society (crop2).jpg

| width = 220px

| barwidth = 200px

| bars = {{bar percent|Yes|#7CC5F6|40.9}} {{bar percent|No|#7CC5F6|59.1}}

| caption = 2,748,378 votes · Final results

| reference = {{Cite tweet |last=Musk |first=Elon |user=elonmusk |number=1576969255031296000 |date=October 3, 2022 |title=Ukraine-Russia Peace |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250131164038/https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1576969255031296000 |archive-date=January 31, 2025 |access-date=February 8, 2025}}

| left = yup

}}

Immediately following the Russian invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, Musk tweeted "Hold Strong Ukraine" and sympathized with the people of Russia, after which Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Musk.{{Cite web |last=Oshin |first=Olafimihan |date=March 14, 2022 |title=Elon Musk challenges Putin on Twitter to 'single combat' for Ukraine |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/europe/598125-elon-musk-challenges-putin-on-twitter-to-single-combat-for/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015172412/https://thehill.com/policy/international/europe/598125-elon-musk-challenges-putin-on-twitter-to-single-combat-for/ |archive-date=October 15, 2022 |access-date=October 29, 2024 |website=The Hill |language=en-US}}

However, in October 2022, Musk changed his stance, suggesting that Ukraine should permanently cede occupied territories (e.g. Crimea) to Russia, and that Ukraine should drop its bid to join NATO.{{Cite web |last=Thorbecke |first=Catherine |date=October 3, 2022 |title='F— off,' ambassador tells Elon Musk after unveiling Ukraine 'peace' plan |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/03/tech/elon-musk-ukraine-russia-tweets/index.html |access-date=February 8, 2025 |publisher=CNN |language=en |archive-date=November 23, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241123062427/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/03/tech/elon-musk-ukraine-russia-tweets/index.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Milmo |first=Dan |date=November 3, 2022 |title=Olena Zelenska says she hopes Musk's Ukraine peace tweet was 'chance mistake' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/03/olena-zelenska-elon-musk-ukraine-peace-tweet |access-date=February 8, 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} The four-part proposal, posted as a Twitter poll, suggested new referendums under United Nations supervision on the annexation of Russia-occupied territories.{{Cite news |last=Wilson |first=Joseph |date=October 4, 2022 |title=Musk's plan to end Russian war infuriates Ukraine on Twitter |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/musks-plan-end-russian-war-infuriates-ukraine-twitter-91000281 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221020101000/https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/musks-plan-end-russian-war-infuriates-ukraine-twitter-91000281 |archive-date=October 20, 2022 |access-date=October 16, 2022 |work=ABC News |language=en |agency=Associated Press}} The proposal was welcomed by the Russian government and denounced by Zelenskyy as "pro-Russia", with officials stating that people who had been murdered or forcibly deported by Russia would be unable to vote.{{Cite news |date=October 4, 2022 |title=Kremlin welcomes Elon Musk proposal for Ukraine settlement denounced by Kyiv |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kremlin-welcomes-elon-musk-proposal-ukraine-settlement-denounced-by-kyiv-2022-10-04/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016024355/https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/kremlin-welcomes-elon-musk-proposal-ukraine-settlement-denounced-by-kyiv-2022-10-04/ |archive-date=October 16, 2022 |access-date=October 16, 2022 |publisher=Reuters |language=en}}{{Cite news |date=October 4, 2022 |title=Elon Musk's peace plan for Ukraine draws condemnation from Zelenskyy |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/10/04/1126714896/elon-musk-ukraine-peace-plan-zelenskyy |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221029000900/https://www.npr.org/2022/10/04/1126714896/elon-musk-ukraine-peace-plan-zelenskyy |archive-date=October 29, 2022 |access-date=October 16, 2022 |work=NPR |language=en |agency=Associated Press}}

According to American foreign affairs specialist Fiona Hill, Musk appeared to be "transmitting a message" for Putin.{{cite web |last1=Dress |first1=Brad |date=October 17, 2022 |title=Fiona Hill says Musk tweet 'clearly is a message from Putin' |url=https://thehill.com/policy/international/3693040-fiona-hill-says-musk-tweet-clearly-is-a-message-from-putin/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221027055810/https://thehill.com/policy/international/3693040-fiona-hill-says-musk-tweet-clearly-is-a-message-from-putin/ |archive-date=October 27, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |work=The Hill}} In Politico{{'}}s interview with Hill, she said that Musk's suggestion that Kherson and Zaporizhzhia be up for negotiation, and that the water supply for Crimea be secured, was specifically a message to Putin. Musk previously made a similar suggestion at a September event in Aspen, Colorado.{{cite web |date=October 17, 2022 |title=Fiona Hill: 'Elon Musk is Transmitting a Message for Putin' |url=https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/10/17/fiona-hill-putin-war-00061894 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028050854/https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2022/10/17/fiona-hill-putin-war-00061894 |archive-date=October 28, 2022 |access-date=October 28, 2022 |website=Politico}} Musk has repeatedly expressed concern that a protracted war between Russia and Ukraine could lead to the use of nuclear weapons and the outbreak of World War III.{{cite news |date=October 10, 2022 |title=Elon Musk Sends Dire Warning About Russia-Ukraine War |url=https://www.thestreet.com/technology/elon-musk-sends-dire-warning-about-russia-ukraine-war |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231028181219/https://www.thestreet.com/technology/elon-musk-sends-dire-warning-about-russia-ukraine-war |archive-date=October 28, 2023 |access-date=November 19, 2023 |work=TheStreet}}

{{Quote box

| quote = [Musk] is in a position to command government contracts, potentially with a government position, and there are loads of militaries around the world dependent on his systems, not least Ukraine.

| author = Fiona Hill, foreign affairs advisor, October 2024

| align = right

| width = 220px

| salign = right

}}

In an email newsletter, Ian Bremmer, head of Eurasia Group, a political-risk consultancy, said that Musk told him that he had spoken directly with Putin, which Musk denied in a reply on Twitter. Musk claimed he had spoken to Putin only once 18 months prior, on a space-related subject matter. Bremmer later took to Twitter to say Musk had told him two weeks earlier about the discussion with Putin. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called it "untrue", claiming Musk and Putin had only spoken about a year and a half before.{{Cite news |date=October 12, 2022 |title=Elon Musk denies he spoke to Putin about Ukraine war |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63225781 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015234326/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63225781 |archive-date=October 15, 2022 |access-date=October 16, 2022 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |last1=Bertrand |first1=Natasha |last2=Yeung |first2=Jessie |date=October 12, 2022 |title=Elon Musk denies claim he spoke to Vladimir Putin about the war in Ukraine |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/11/business/elon-musk-ian-bremmer-putin-ukraine-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221126133122/https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/11/business/elon-musk-ian-bremmer-putin-ukraine-intl-hnk/index.html |archive-date=November 26, 2022 |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Pendleton |first=Devon |date=October 11, 2022 |title=Musk Denies Report He Spoke With Putin Before Peace Tweets |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-11/elon-musk-denies-report-he-spoke-with-putin-before-peace-tweets |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011175345/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-10-11/elon-musk-denies-report-he-spoke-with-putin-before-peace-tweets |archive-date=October 11, 2022 |access-date=October 16, 2022 |website=Bloomberg News}} In 2024, The Wall Street Journal reported that Musk and Putin had been in regular contact since 2022.{{cite news |last1=Borger |first1=Julian |date=October 24, 2024 |title=Elon Musk has been in regular contact with Putin for two years, says report |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2024/oct/25/elon-musk-has-been-in-regular-contact-with-putin-for-two-years-say-reports |access-date=October 26, 2024 |website=The Guardian}} Peskov again stated that Musk and Putin have only had one telephone call in which they discussed "space as well as current and future technologies."{{cite news |last1=Körömi |first1=Csongor |date=October 25, 2024 |title=Musk has been in secret contact with Putin since 2022, says bombshell new report |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-in-secret-contact-vladimir-putin-since-2022-claims-wall-street-journal-report-us-ukraine-russia-war-starlink/ |access-date=October 26, 2024 |work=Politico EU}}

Since the Russian invasion in early 2022, Ukraine has been reliant on Musk's Starlink satellite internet service for communications.{{Cite news |date=January 5, 2023 |title=How Elon Musk's satellites have saved Ukraine and changed warfare |url=https://www.economist.com/briefing/2023/01/05/how-elon-musks-satellites-have-saved-ukraine-and-changed-warfare |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230923091659/https://www.economist.com/briefing/2023/01/05/how-elon-musks-satellites-have-saved-ukraine-and-changed-warfare |archive-date=September 23, 2023 |access-date=June 6, 2023 |newspaper=The Economist |issn=0013-0613}} In 2023, Ukraine requested Musk enable Starlink up to Crimea for use in a counterattack against the Russian fleet in Sevastopol, from which missiles and drones have been launched towards Ukraine.{{Cite web |last=Darcy |first=Oliver |date=September 12, 2023 |title=An explosive Elon Musk biography is just hitting shelves. But the book's acclaimed author is already walking back a major claim |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/11/media/walter-isaacson-elon-musk-reliable-sources/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922122628/https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/11/media/walter-isaacson-elon-musk-reliable-sources/index.html |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |access-date=September 15, 2023 |website=CNN |language=en}} Musk denied the request, expressing concerns about escalation.{{cite news |last1=Marquardt |first1=Alex |date=October 13, 2022 |title=Exclusive: Musk's SpaceX says it can no longer pay for critical satellite services in Ukraine, asks Pentagon to pick up the tab |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/13/politics/elon-musk-spacex-starlink-ukraine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221024113222/https://edition.cnn.com/2022/10/13/politics/elon-musk-spacex-starlink-ukraine |archive-date=October 24, 2022 |access-date=September 23, 2023 |newspaper=CNN}} Musk's stance has been criticized in Ukraine because of the effect it had on their battlefield strategy. The New York Times underscored that Musk's actions had directly impacted Ukraine's attempts to defend itself and reclaim its territory.{{cite news |last1=Satariano |first1=Adam |last2=Reinhard |first2=Scott |last3=Metz |first3=Cade |last4=Frenkel |first4=Sheera |last5=Khurana |first5=Malika |date=July 28, 2023 |title=Elon Musk's Unmatched Power in the Stars |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/07/28/business/starlink.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230730123606/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2023/07/28/business/starlink.html |archive-date=July 30, 2023 |access-date=July 30, 2023 |work=The New York Times}}{{cite news |last1=Sabbagh |first1=Dan |date=February 9, 2023 |title=Fury in Ukraine as Elon Musk's SpaceX limits Starlink use for drones |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/09/zelenskiy-aide-takes-aim-at-curbs-on-ukraine-use-of-starlink-to-pilot-drones-elon-musk |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230309133527/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/09/zelenskiy-aide-takes-aim-at-curbs-on-ukraine-use-of-starlink-to-pilot-drones-elon-musk |archive-date=March 9, 2023 |access-date=March 9, 2023 |newspaper=The Guardian}}

In October 2023, Musk used a meme on X to mock Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and U.S. aid being sent to Ukraine. "So you have bought social media to bully people who are dying because [they] love freedom," Ukrainian stand-up comedian Anton Tymoshenko wrote in response.{{cite web |last=Novak |first=Matt |date=October 1, 2023 |title=Elon Musk Posts Meme Ridiculing U.S. Aid To Ukraine |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattnovak/2023/10/01/elon-musk-posts-meme-ridiculing-us-aid-to-ukraine/?sh=4f2633c25549 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240304183652/https://www.forbes.com/sites/mattnovak/2023/10/01/elon-musk-posts-meme-ridiculing-us-aid-to-ukraine/?sh=4f2633c25549 |archive-date=March 4, 2024 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Forbes}}{{cite web |last=Melkozerova |first=Veronika |date=October 2, 2023 |title=Elon Musk mocks Zelenskyy over calls for aid |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/billionaire-elon-musk-mocks-ukraine-president-zelenskyy-asking-aid-with-meme/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008184530/https://www.politico.eu/article/billionaire-elon-musk-mocks-ukraine-president-zelenskyy-asking-aid-with-meme/ |archive-date=October 8, 2023 |access-date=March 4, 2024 |website=Politico}}

In March 2025 Musk claimed that Starlink was unavailable in South Africa because he was not black. The South African government argued against this.{{cite web |last1=Khanum |first1=Maryam |title=Elon Musk Claims Starlink Can't Operate in South Africa Because He's 'Not Black' |url=https://www.latintimes.com/elon-musk-claims-starlink-cant-operate-south-africa-because-not-black-579058 |access-date=March 24, 2025 |website=latintimes.com |publisher=Latin Times}} Later in March Musk posted a video to X of Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader Julius Malema singing the controversial Apartheid-era song Dubul' ibhunu with a caption expressing his outrage at “a major political party … that is actively promoting white genocide”. US President Donald Trump then reposted Musk's comment on his own Truth Social along with his own condemnation of the song and a request that the South African government “protect Afrikaner and other disfavored minorities” as well as inviting Afrikaners to immigrate to the United States.{{cite web |last1=Dall |first1=Nick |title='Kill the Boer': The anti-apartheid song Musk ties to 'white genocide' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/26/kill-the-boer-the-anti-apartheid-song-musk-ties-to-white-genocide |access-date=March 26, 2025 |website=aljazeera.com |publisher=Al Jazeera}} In May 2025 he attended the Trump–Ramaphosa Oval Office meeting.{{Cite web |title=Trump, South African president in tense Oval Office exchange |url=https://news.az/news/trump-south-african-president-in-tense-oval-office-exchange |access-date=May 22, 2025 |website=news.az |language=en}}

{{Quote box

| quote = My recommendation ... would be to figure out a special administrative zone for Taiwan that is reasonably palatable, probably won't make everyone happy. And it's possible, and I think probably, in fact, that they could have an arrangement that's more lenient than Hong Kong.

| author = Elon Musk

| source = speaking to The Financial Times, October 2022

| align = right

| width = 220px

| salign = right

}}

In October 2022, Musk suggested that Taiwan and China should "figure out a special administrative zone" arrangement as a potential resolution to the political status of Taiwan,{{cite news |last1=Liang |first1=Annabelle |date=October 10, 2022 |title=Elon Musk wades into China and Taiwan tensions |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63196452 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010034740/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63196452 |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |publisher=BBC News}}{{cite news |last1=Khalaf |first1=Roula |date=October 7, 2022 |title=Elon Musk: 'Aren't you entertained?' |url=https://www.ft.com/content/5ef14997-982e-4f03-8548-b5d67202623a |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240514060142/https://www.ft.com/content/5ef14997-982e-4f03-8548-b5d67202623a |archive-date=May 14, 2024 |access-date=December 21, 2024 |work=Financial Times}} and the suggestion drew cross-party criticism from Taiwanese lawmakers.{{cite news |last=I-chia |first=Lee |date=October 9, 2022 |title=Musk sparks ire with Taiwan proposal |url=https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2022/10/09/2003786700 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221102132526/https://www.taipeitimes.com/News/front/archives/2022/10/09/2003786700 |archive-date=November 2, 2022 |access-date=November 2, 2022 |work=Taipei Times |agency=Lee I-chia with CNA}} Chen Shih-chung commented that Musk had "brought about revolutionary change" and called on Musk to hold himself to the same democratic values regarding Taiwan."{{cite news |last1=Davidson |first1=Helen |date=October 10, 2022 |title=Taiwan politicians dismiss Elon Musk's 'ill-informed and belittling' China comments |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/10/taiwan-elon-musk-china-special-admin-region-comments-ill-informed-and-belittling |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230109203500/https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/oct/10/taiwan-elon-musk-china-special-admin-region-comments-ill-informed-and-belittling |archive-date=January 9, 2023 |access-date=May 10, 2023 |website=The Guardian}} Chinese Ambassador to the United States Qin Gang thanked Musk for his suggestion.{{Cite news |date=October 10, 2022 |title=Musk on China-Taiwan: Beijing praise and Taipei criticism over comments |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63196452 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221010034740/https://www.bbc.com/news/business-63196452 |archive-date=October 10, 2022 |access-date=October 10, 2022 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

{{Quote box

| quote = The official policy of China is that Taiwan should be integrated. One does not need to read between the lines, one can simply read the lines,

| author = Elon Musk

| source = interview with CNBC, May 2023

| align = left

| width = 220px

| salign = right

}}

In May 2023, when asked if he was concerned that China could attempt to take control of Taiwan,{{cite news |title=Tesla CEO Elon Musk on U.S.-China tensions: There is some 'inevitability' to Taiwan situation |url=https://www.cnbc.com/video/2023/05/16/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-on-u-s-china-tensions-there-is-some-inevitability-to-taiwan-situation.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241221015021/https://www.cnbc.com/video/2023/05/16/tesla-ceo-elon-musk-on-u-s-china-tensions-there-is-some-inevitability-to-taiwan-situation.html |archive-date=December 21, 2024 |access-date=December 21, 2024 |work=CNBC}} Musk remarked that "Taiwan should be integrated", according to the official policy of China,{{cite web |last1=Rosenbaum |first1=Eric |date=May 18, 2023 |title=Musk, Buffett and Apple show the clock is ticking for multinational companies on China's Taiwan policy |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/18/clock-ticking-for-market-to-speak-clearly-like-musk-on-china-taiwan.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230522024502/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/18/clock-ticking-for-market-to-speak-clearly-like-musk-on-china-taiwan.html |archive-date=May 22, 2023 |access-date=May 22, 2023 |publisher=CNBC}} Taiwan's Foreign Minister Joseph Wu tweeted at Musk in response, and China Daily ran the headline "Elon Musk: Taiwan should be integrated".{{cite web |last1=Mollman |first1=Steve |title=Elon Musk gets blowback from Taiwan after saying there's a 'certain inevitability' China will integrate it |url=https://fortune.com/2023/05/20/elon-musk-taiwan-blowback-china-takeover-inevitability/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230521232730/https://fortune.com/2023/05/20/elon-musk-taiwan-blowback-china-takeover-inevitability/ |archive-date=May 21, 2023 |access-date=May 22, 2023 |website=Fortune}} In September 2023, at the All-In Summit in Los Angeles, Musk again stated that Taiwan was part of China likening it to Hawaii, again receiving significant criticism,{{cite web |last1=Sharma |first1=Akanksha |last2=Toh |first2=Michelle |date=September 14, 2023 |title=Taiwan hits back at Elon Musk's claim that it is 'part of China' |url=https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/14/business/elon-musk-taiwan-china-comments-intl-hnk/index.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230916060135/https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/14/business/elon-musk-taiwan-china-comments-intl-hnk/index.html |archive-date=September 16, 2023 |access-date=September 16, 2023 |publisher=CNN}}{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Nicola |date=September 14, 2023 |title=Elon Musk told Taiwan is 'not for sale' after Tesla boss comments on relationship with China |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/09/14/elon-musk-taiwan-china-tesla-starlink-joseph-wu-twitter/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230918022525/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/09/14/elon-musk-taiwan-china-tesla-starlink-joseph-wu-twitter/ |archive-date=September 18, 2023 |access-date=September 16, 2023 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph}} with Wu tweeting that Taiwan was not for sale,{{cite web |last1=Shan |first1=Lee Ying |date=September 14, 2023 |title=Taiwan slams Elon Musk, says it's 'not for sale' nor part of China |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/14/taiwan-slams-elon-musk-says-its-not-for-sale-nor-part-of-china.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915223326/https://www.cnbc.com/2023/09/14/taiwan-slams-elon-musk-says-its-not-for-sale-nor-part-of-china.html |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |access-date=September 16, 2023 |publisher=CNBC}}{{cite news |last1=Davidson |first1=Helen |date=September 14, 2023 |title=Taiwan tells Elon Musk it is 'not for sale' after latest China comments |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/14/taiwan-elon-musk-china-comments-response-all-in-summit-los-angeles |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230915220349/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/14/taiwan-elon-musk-china-comments-response-all-in-summit-los-angeles |archive-date=September 15, 2023 |access-date=September 16, 2023 |website=The Guardian}} and U.S. congressmen Andy Ogles and Randy Weber published an open letter challenging Musk's interpretation of history and his exposure to the Chinese Communist Party.{{cite web |last1=Howard |first1=Sam |date=September 22, 2023 |title=US Congress members teach Elon Musk about Taiwan's history |url=https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5005307 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231003191446/https://www.taiwannews.com.tw/en/news/5005307 |archive-date=October 3, 2023 |access-date=September 22, 2023 |website=hTaiwan News}} In 2024 Musk praised the quality of Taiwan's engineering talent.{{cite web |last= |first= |date=January 3, 2025 |title=Musk praises Taiwan's 'massive' tech talent as reason for chip success |url=https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202501030007 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112200937/https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202501030007 |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |access-date=January 12, 2025 |website=Focus Taiwan}}

{{Tweet

| name = Elon Musk 15px

| username = elonmusk

| date = August 6, 2024

| text = Why aren't all communities protected in Britain? @Keir_Starmer

| ID = 1820790297233592361

| image = Elon Musk Royal Society (crop2).jpg

| reference = {{Cite tweet |last=Musk |first=Elon |user=elonmusk |number=1820790297233592361 |date=August 6, 2024 |title=Why aren't all communities protected in Britain? @Keir_Starmer |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241224181018/https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1820790297233592361 |archive-date=December 24, 2024 |access-date=February 8, 2025}}

| ref-name = Communities-2024

}}

In August 2024, after UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said "large social media companies and those who run them" were contributing to the riots taking place in the country, Musk criticized him for not condemning all participants in the riots and only blaming the far-right.{{Cite news |last1=Riley-Smith |first1=Ben |last2=Penna |first2=Dominic |date=August 5, 2024 |title=Starmer clashes with Musk over UK riot remarks |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/08/05/starmer-attacks-musk-over-claims-uk-civil-war-is-inevitable/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805164637/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/08/05/starmer-attacks-musk-over-claims-uk-civil-war-is-inevitable/ |archive-date=August 5, 2024 |access-date=August 5, 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph |issn=0307-1235}}{{Cite web |last=Cooke |first=Millie |date=January 8, 2025 |title=A history of Elon Musk and Keir Starmer's relationship |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/elon-musk-keir-starmer-grooming-gangs-b2675713.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113134530/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/elon-musk-keir-starmer-grooming-gangs-b2675713.html |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |access-date=January 13, 2025 |website=The Independent |language=en}} Musk also responded to a tweet which said the riots were due to "mass migration and open borders". His comments were condemned by Starmer's official spokesman.{{cite news |last1=Gregory |first1=Andy |last2=Cooke |first2=Millie |date=August 5, 2024 |title=Downing Street condemns Elon Musk for claim 'civil war is inevitable' |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/elon-musk-civil-war-uk-riots-b2591213.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240805174350/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/elon-musk-civil-war-uk-riots-b2591213.html |archive-date=August 5, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |newspaper=The Independent}}{{cite web |date=August 7, 2024 |title=What is Elon Musk's game plan? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cze5gd1jzkeo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807125803/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cze5gd1jzkeo |archive-date=August 7, 2024 |access-date=November 19, 2024 |publisher=BBC News}} He further criticized Starmer for what he described as a "two-tier" policing system that did not protect all communities in the United Kingdom,{{Cite web |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Elon Musk lashes out at the UK again as Sunak holidays in California |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/elon-musk-riots-rishi-sunak-b2593155.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240809041242/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/elon-musk-riots-rishi-sunak-b2593155.html |archive-date=August 9, 2024 |access-date=January 14, 2025 |website=The Independent}}{{cite news |date=August 6, 2024 |title=Musk brands Starmer 'two-tier Keir' amid row over riot policing |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/06/riots-police-tackle-all-sides-equal-ferocity-two-tier/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807004921/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2024/08/06/riots-police-tackle-all-sides-equal-ferocity-two-tier/ |archive-date=August 7, 2024 |access-date=August 7, 2024 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{Cite web |date=August 7, 2024 |title=UK disorder: What's Elon Musk's game? |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cze5gd1jzkeo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240807125803/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cze5gd1jzkeo |archive-date=August 7, 2024 |access-date=August 7, 2024 |publisher=BBC News}} and subsequently shared a conspiracy theory that Starmer's government was planning to build detainment camps in the Falkland Islands to hold far-right rioters. In response, Starmer stated his focus was safe communities and the importance of supporting police officers.{{cite web |date=August 8, 2024 |title=Musk shares faked far-right 'detainment camp' for rioters post |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp35w0kj2y4o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240808133009/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cp35w0kj2y4o |archive-date=August 8, 2024 |access-date=August 9, 2024 |publisher=BBC News}}{{cite news |last1=Luce |first1=Edward |date=August 9, 2024 |title=Elon Musk and the danger to democracy |url=https://www.ft.com/content/bdd100a8-4817-44f6-9838-bda760aaebf1 |newspaper=Financial Times}}

{{Tweet

| name = Elon Musk 15px

| username = elonmusk

| date = January 5, 2025

| text = The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn't have what it takes.

| ID = 1875904634419859928

| image = Elon Musk Royal Society (crop2).jpg

| reference = {{Cite tweet |last=Musk |first=Elon |user=elonmusk |number=1875904634419859928 |date=January 5, 2025 |title=The Reform Party needs a new leader. Farage doesn't have what it takes. |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250205013253/https://x.com/elonmusk/status/1875904634419859928 |archive-date=February 5, 2025 |access-date=February 8, 2025 |language=en}}

| ref-name = Reform-2025

| left = yeah

}}

In December 2024, The Times reported that Musk was planning to donate $100 million to Nigel Farage's Reform UK party ahead of the next UK election, and may route the funds through X's UK branch to bypass donation laws.{{Cite web |last1=Turvill |first1=William |last2=Shipman |first2=Tim |last3=Wheeler |first3=Caroline |date=November 30, 2024 |title=Will Elon Musk give Nigel Farage $100m to make him PM? |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/elon-musk-pay-nigel-farage-prime-minister-xts720xsp?t=1733042174755 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250127031718/https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/elon-musk-pay-nigel-farage-prime-minister-xts720xsp?t=1733042174755 |archive-date=January 27, 2025 |access-date=February 6, 2025 |website=The Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Schofield |first=Kevin |date=December 1, 2024 |title=Is Elon Musk Planning To Make A 'F*** You Starmer' $100 Million Donation To Reform UK? |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/is-elon-musk-planning-to-make-a-f-you-starmer-100-million-donation-to-reform-uk_uk_674c2a9de4b08cdfa53b2d6a |access-date=February 6, 2025 |website=HuffPost UK |language=en |archive-date=February 7, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250207234304/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/is-elon-musk-planning-to-make-a-f-you-starmer-100-million-donation-to-reform-uk_uk_674c2a9de4b08cdfa53b2d6a |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Devlin |first=Kate |date=December 6, 2024 |title=Elon Musk responds to claims of $100m donation to Nigel Farage's Reform party |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/elon-musk-nigel-farage-reform-donation-b2659979.html |access-date=February 6, 2025 |website=The Independent |language=en |archive-date=February 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250210111708/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/elon-musk-nigel-farage-reform-donation-b2659979.html |url-status=live }} The following month, Musk called for a new election in the UK, saying "only Reform can save Britain".{{Cite web |last=Lawler |first=Dave |date=January 3, 2025 |title=Musk rocks U.K. politics with attacks on PM and support for far right |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/01/03/elon-musk-uk-tommy-robinson-starmer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250106163941/https://www.axios.com/2025/01/03/elon-musk-uk-tommy-robinson-starmer |archive-date=January 6, 2025 |access-date=January 4, 2025 |website=Axios |language=en}} Musk has called for far-right activist Tommy Robinson to be released from prison and supports the resignation of Nigel Farage as leader of Reform UK believing he "doesn't have what it takes".{{Cite web |date=January 5, 2025 |title=Elon Musk calls for Nigel Farage to be replaced as Reform UK leader |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70ep8lp4jjo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250105144056/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c70ep8lp4jjo |archive-date=January 5, 2025 |access-date=January 5, 2025 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

{{Quote box

| quote = Those who are cheerleading Tommy Robinson are not interested in justice. They're supporting a man who went to prison for nearly collapsing a grooming case, a gang grooming case. These are people who are trying to get some vicarious thrill from street violence that people like Tommy Robinson promote.

| author = UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer{{efn|Starmer said: "When politicians, and I mean politicians, who sat in government for many years are casual about honesty, decency, truth and the rule of law, calling for inquiries because they want to jump on a bandwagon of the far-right, then that affects politics because a robust debate can only be based on the true facts and that is why this is actually an important point about our politics, not about what anybody may or may not say on Twitter. My fight to change the way that the prosecution service operated is a matter of public record. Making sure the men responsible for these despicable acts were brought to justice. Put in the dock... then behind bars. That is why I brought the first prosecution for a grooming gang. Far-right voices have tried to rewrite history. Those spreading lies and misinformation are not interested in the victims. Those cheerleading for Tommy Robinson - a thug who was jailed for almost collapsing a grooming case - are not interested in justice. They are only interested in themselves."{{Cite news |last1=Martin |first1=Daniel |last2=Hymas |first2=Charles |date=2025-01-06 |title=Starmer: Calls for grooming gang inquiry are 'far-Right bandwagon' |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/06/starmer-musk-grooming-inquiry-far-right-bandwagon/ |access-date=2025-02-09 |work=The Daily Telegraph |language=en-GB |issn=0307-1235 |archive-date=February 2, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250202161636/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/06/starmer-musk-grooming-inquiry-far-right-bandwagon/ |url-status=live }}}}

| source = January 2025{{Cite journal |date=January 6, 2025 |title=Starmer hits back at Musk and 'poison of the far-right' |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/uk/2025/0106/1489301-uk-politics/ |journal=RTÉ |language=en |archive-date=January 6, 2025 |access-date=February 12, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250106131219/https://www.rte.ie/news/uk/2025/0106/1489301-uk-politics/ |url-status=live }}

| align = right

| width = 220px

| salign = right

}}

In January 2025, after Kemi Badenoch called for a national inquiry into group-based child sexual exploitation,{{cite news |date=January 2, 2025 |title=Kemi Badenoch calls for 'long overdue' national inquiry into UK grooming scandal |url=https://news.sky.com/story/kemi-badenoch-calls-for-long-overdue-national-inquiry-into-uk-grooming-scandal-13282797 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114132620/https://news.sky.com/story/amp/kemi-badenoch-calls-for-long-overdue-national-inquiry-into-uk-grooming-scandal-13282797 |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |accessdate=January 7, 2025 |publisher=Sky News}}{{cite web |date=January 2, 2025 |title=Kemi Badenoch calls for national inquiry into UK's 'rape gangs scandal' |url=https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/national/24828530.kemi-badenoch-calls-national-inquiry-uks-rape-gangs-scandal/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250114132621/https://www.theoldhamtimes.co.uk/news/national/24828530.kemi-badenoch-calls-national-inquiry-uks-rape-gangs-scandal/ |archive-date=January 14, 2025 |accessdate=January 7, 2025 |website=The Oldham Times}} Musk suggested Phillips was attempting to shield Starmer from blame since he led the Crown Prosecution Service when the abuse occurred.{{Cite news |last=Penna |first=Dominic |date=January 2, 2025 |title=Elon Musk: Jess Phillips deserves to be in prison over Labour refusal to launch grooming inquiry |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/02/elon-musk-jess-phillips-oldham-council-grooming-inquiry/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112102801/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2025/01/02/elon-musk-jess-phillips-oldham-council-grooming-inquiry/ |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |access-date=January 13, 2025 |work=The Daily Telegraph}}{{Cite web |date=January 6, 2025 |title=Starmer hits back at Musk and 'poison of the far-right' |url=https://www.rte.ie/news/uk/2025/0106/1489301-uk-politics/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250106131219/https://www.rte.ie/news/uk/2025/0106/1489301-uk-politics/ |archive-date=January 6, 2025 |access-date=January 6, 2025 |publisher=Raidió Teilifís Éireann}} Musk's comments were criticized, and Phillips was defended by a group of victims of gender-based violence, including three survivors of the Telford child sexual exploitation scandal,{{cite news |last1=Courea |first1=Eleni |date=January 7, 2025 |title='We stand by Jess': Telford survivors criticise Musk's attack on Phillips |url=https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/jan/07/jess-phillips-telford-survivors-musk-attack-letter-women-girls |work=The Guardian |quote=[There is] no one in public life who has done more to support victims and survivors and to advocate for their interests [than Jess Phillips]}} as well as the Health Secretary Wes Streeting and Starmer,{{cite news |date=January 5, 2025 |title=Wes Streeting attacks Elon Musk's 'disgraceful smear' of Jess Phillips |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c23vdp4y1p0o |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250113030046/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c23vdp4y1p0o |archive-date=January 13, 2025 |access-date=January 13, 2025 |publisher=BBC News}} who said politicians and activists were "spreading lies and misinformation" over grooming gangs.{{cite news |last1=Francis |first1=Sam |last2=Zeffman |first2=Henry |date=January 6, 2025 |title=PM attacks those 'spreading lies' on grooming gangs as he hits back at Musk |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c75wp53vk1lo |publisher=BBC News}} Phillips said Musk was spreading "disinformation" that was endangering her.{{cite news |last1=Derbyshire |first1=Victoria |last2=Whannel |first2=Kate |date=January 7, 2025 |title=Elon Musk's 'disinformation' endangering me, says Jess Phillips |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn7r0pzz57vo |access-date=January 15, 2025 |publisher=BBC News}}{{cite news |date=January 7, 2025 |title=Jess Phillips hits back at Elon Musk and says he should 'crack on with getting to Mars' |url=https://news.sky.com/story/jess-phillips-has-more-important-things-to-think-about-than-elon-musk-13285103 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250112103402/https://news.sky.com/story/jess-phillips-has-more-important-things-to-think-about-than-elon-musk-13285103 |archive-date=January 12, 2025 |access-date=January 7, 2025 |publisher=Sky News |language=en}} Musk also suggested Starmer was "complicit" in group-based child sexual exploitation. Starmer was head of the CPS in 2009 when a decision was made not to prosecute an individual who was part of the Rochdale child sex abuse ring; however, there is no evidence Starmer was personally involved in the decision.{{cite news |title=No evidence Keir Starmer tried to block the prosecution of Muslim grooming gangs |url=https://fullfact.org/online/starmer-muslim-grooming-prosecution-crime/ |access-date=August 30, 2024 |work=Full Fact |date=July 28, 2022}} Starmer said politicians advocating for a second national inquiry were "amplifying" the far-right, and said those "spreading misinformation are not interested in the victims".{{Cite web |last1=Stavrou |first1=Athena |last2=Cooke |first2=Millie |date=January 10, 2025 |title=Reform MPs including Nigel Farage paid thousands by Elon Musk's X for posting on site |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-musk-farage-x-earnings-twitter-b2677072.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250115083231/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/reform-musk-farage-x-earnings-twitter-b2677072.html |archive-date=January 15, 2025 |access-date=January 15, 2025 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

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{{Elon Musk}}

Category:Political activities of Elon Musk

Category:Political controversies in the United Kingdom

Category:Keir Starmer controversies