The Threat Elon Musk and Donald Trump Pose to UK and Allied Unity

It seems an obvious point to make, but America did not elect Elon Musk, yet he has somehow been allowed to position himself as Donald Trump’s de facto co-president. Over the last few weeks, Musk’s growing influence and provocative actions have posed unprecedented new risks to America’s alliances with the UK and its broader network of traditional allies. It seems quite clear now that Musk’s mission includes promoting political instability in allied democracies, aligning disturbingly with Trump’s authoritarian tendencies whilst calling for the rise of fascism.

Musk has openly endorsed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), claiming it is the only hope for Germany in the upcoming election. He has also launched attacks on the UK’s Labour government under Sir Keir Starmer, going so far as to poll his 211 million X followers on whether “America should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government.” Alarmingly, the response was largely affirmative in the misinformation bubble Musk has created. If taken seriously, this rhetoric could irreparably damage the historic USA special relationship with that of Britain and its Western allies.

 

A New, Dangerous Precedent

In centuries gone by, including through the so-called Gilded Age, America’s industrial magnates, such as the Rockefellers and Carnegies, never wielded political influence at this level. Even Henry Ford, whose sympathies for European fascism were well-documented, remained far removed from a role as a presidential co-equal.

Traditionally, America’s political meddling has been confined to adversaries or unstable regions. Allies such as the UK, Germany, and France have largely been seen as the anchor points of Europe’s unity and economic activity. Musk’s reckless interventions in allied democracies mark a dangerous departure from that norm. The governments in London, Berlin and Paris must now grapple with an unprecedented dilemma: does Musk speak directly for Trump? If so, the Atlantic alliance faces a genuine existential threat. If Musk acts independently, his disruptive influence still demands coordinated resistance.

 

Undermining Allied Democracies

While ominous, Musk’s targeted attacks on Germany and the UK are only half the story. His conspicuous silence on Russia and China—America’s principal geopolitical adversaries—speaks volumes. Musk has refrained from criticizing human rights abuses in either country, preferring instead to lionize figures such as Tommy Robinson, a far-right British extremist currently serving his fifth jail sentence for offences including assault, public order offences, mortgage fraud and contempt of court. Meanwhile, Elon Musk remains silent on atrocities like the abduction of 20,000 Ukrainian children by Russian forces, and a long list of human rights abuses in China.

In the UK, Musk has suddenly taken an obsessive interest in child grooming scandals, which primarily occurred under Conservative governments over the past two decades. Yet his vitriol is reserved for Labour politicians, such as branding minister Jess Phillips a “rape genocide apologist.” This selective outrage reeks of disinformation and political manipulation, serving to erode trust in British institutions while sowing social and political division.

 

A Strategic Blind Spot

Elon Musk’s actions highlight a glaring double standard. While he attacks democratic allies with abandon, he carefully avoids antagonizing China, where his Tesla operations are heavily invested. Trump’s transactional worldview, coupled with Musk’s business interests, results in an alignment of disdain for European liberal democracies and admiration for authoritarian figures like Vladimir Putin. Both Musk and Trump seem impatient to end the Ukraine war, regardless of whether the terms favour Russia or the scale of damage done to European unity.

This convergence is more than idle trolling or a clash of personalities. It reflects a shared disdain for the values that underpin the transatlantic alliance, from the rule of law to collective security. If left unchecked, their influence could weaken Europe’s resolve to stand united against aggression, whether from Moscow or Beijing.

 

A Warning for Allies

The UK and Europe now face uncharted territory. The Atlantic alliance has long been a cornerstone of global stability, but Musk’s meddling, coupled with Trump’s authoritarian impulses, could fracture these bonds. Musk’s erratic behaviour might appear absurd, such as calling for King Charles to dissolve Parliament or supporting and then attacking the hard-right Reform Party leader Nigel Farage without understanding their political roles, but the underlying threat is no joke. His influence, amplified by Trump’s return to power, risks destabilizing individual governments and the entire Western order.

The stakes could not be higher. Europe’s traditional strategy of hoping for the best is no longer sufficient. The UK, Germany, and other allies must prepare for the worst-case scenario: a world where the special relationship and the broader Western alliance are undermined from within by figures like Elon Musk wielding unprecedented power. Coordinated action is urgently needed to counter this destabilizing influence before it inflicts irreparable damage on the transatlantic partnership.

 

 

 

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