The British government isn’t happy about Elon Musk’s rumored plans to donate a whopping $100 million to the Reform Party – one of the UK’s most talked-about political groups. If he pulls it off, it would be the biggest political donation in British history.
Musk, who’s already the richest person on the planet, isn’t new to stirring things up in politics. Just last year, he surprised Americans by handing out cash to voters in seven key states during the US elections. Now, it seems he has his eyes set on the UK... Continue reading here ▶
Earlier this week, Musk met with Nigel Farage, leader of the Reform Party, at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Club in Florida. The two reportedly discussed strategies to grow the party’s influence, even though it currently only has five seats in parliament. That said, the party still managed to grab 14.3% of votes in the last general election, which was won by Labour.
In a column for The Telegraph, Farage talked about what he learned from the meeting, especially how Republicans in the US improved voter turnout in Pennsylvania. “I’ve come home with a ton of notes on how they increased registration, turnout, and more,” he wrote. “I’m excited to put these ideas into action as we professionalize our party.”
But here’s the kicker: Farage admitted that “money” was also on the table during their talks. In an interview with the BBC, he said, “Elon [Musk] wants to help us. He’s open to the idea of giving us money as long as it’s done legally through UK companies.”
Though the exact amount hasn’t been confirmed, insiders suggest Musk’s donation could hit $100 million. But there’s a big problem: UK election laws don’t allow foreign donations over £500 unless the donor is registered in the UK. Rumors are swirling that Musk might use his UK-based social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), to get around these rules.
The controversy has already sparked a reaction from the government. Labour has pledged to “protect democracy” and crack down on foreign political funding. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said, “We are committed to stopping foreign interference in our elections and will share more details soon.”
The Electoral Commission, which oversees political funding, also weighed in. Chief executive Vijay Rangarajan said, “It’s crucial voters trust where political donations come from. While our laws provide transparency, they need to be stronger to keep foreign interference out.”
As of now, neither Musk nor Farage has confirmed whether the donation will happen. But with the UK government watching closely, it’s clear this story isn’t over yet. What do you think – should Musk be allowed to make such a big donation to a UK political party? Let me know in the comments.
