Elon Musk Goes Global With His Playbook for Political Influence

In early 2025, Elon Musk leveraged his platform on X to influence global politics, posting controversial content and backing conservative figures in various countries. He echoed messages on serious issues like child exploitation in the UK and supported the Alternative for Germany party in the lead-up to their elections. Musk’s approach has alarmed many leaders, who question the accuracy of his claims and his influence in foreign political matters. Meanwhile, he maintains a strong hold on US politics and Trump’s inner circle, hinting at a broader strategy for political engagement.

In an ambitious start to 2025, Elon Musk has taken to X, formerly known as Twitter, to assert his influence on global politics. Over just three days, he made a series of provocative posts, sparking considerable debate about his role in shaping political narratives. One significant repost featured Rupert Lowe, a member of the Reform UK party. Lowe emphasized the need for justice, saying, “Victims, past and present, don’t need ‘thoughts and prayers’ from politicians, they need justice. We will fight for that in Parliament.”

Musk also shifted his focus to Canada, expressing support for Pierre Poilievre, the head of the Conservative Party. Moreover, he announced a live-streamed conversation with Alice Weidel, a candidate from the far-right Alternative for Germany party, as the country gears up for snap elections in February. Last year, Musk was a significant player in U.S. politics, aligning closely with Donald Trump and boosting Republican candidates during the 2024 election cycle. Now, his influence appears to be expanding internationally.

As 2025 unfolds, Musk seems to be applying the same strategies he used to disrupt American politics to help conservative figures in allied nations. Yet, his approach has raised eyebrows among liberal leaders who are concerned about the spread of misinformation and the promotion of extremist viewpoints. Andrew Gwynne, the UK Health Minister, remarked, “Elon Musk is an American citizen and perhaps ought to focus on issues on the other side of the Atlantic.” In his complaints, he pointed out that there have been multiple independent investigations into issues Musk has cited, particularly the British child exploitation scandals.

These scandals have been a focal point for the Reform UK party, leveraging past abuses to gain political traction. An independent review from 2022 revealed significant failings in local government agencies meant to protect children, following an earlier investigation that found 1,400 instances of sexual exploitation in Rotherham over a decade. Critics of Musk argue that despite his wealth and influence, his interventions are unwarranted and oversimplified, as Gwynne mentioned: “Had Elon Musk really paid attention to what’s been going on in this country, he might have recognized that there’ve already been inquiries.”

Musk’s political maneuvers have even led to speculation regarding potential financial support for foreign politicians, reflecting his status as the leading political donor in the U.S. He was seen with Nigel Farage at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago, discussing the possibility of significant donations to the Reform UK party. Farage later noted a discussion about a potential $100 million contribution. However, Musk indicated uncertainty about the legality of such funding.

Controversially, Musk has also communicated support for figures with troubling pasts. For instance, he called for the release of Tommy Robinson, a former leader known for his anti-Islam activism. Robinson was imprisoned for libel but remains a divisive figure. Additionally, the German government has voiced concerns over his attempts to influence their upcoming elections through support for the Alternative for Germany party, which is under scrutiny by the country’s intelligence.

Musk’s influence isn’t confined to Europe; he remains active in U.S. affairs. He recently sparked backlash for allegedly pressuring House Republicans to reject a bipartisan funding deal, drawing parallels to his self-proclaimed role as a shadow president. As the political landscape shifts, including preparation for a Trump presidency, Musk’s activities signal a potential for even larger impacts on global policy.

In this politically charged environment, he continues to engage with critical topics. Notably, he brought attention to Britain’s impending Online Safety Act, which aims to protect children from harmful online content. Musk commented, “Thank goodness, President @realDonaldTrump will take power just in time,” reflecting his alignment with Trump’s anticipated second term.

Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com