Gate News message, April 20 — Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, has branded Elon Musk’s X platform a “very unpleasant and dangerous place” during a press conference on Monday, citing widespread online abuse targeting his party’s ethnic minority candidates ahead of May elections in Scotland, Wales, and English councils.
Farage said the abuse his candidates are experiencing is “utterly appalling in every way,” describing X as becoming increasingly hostile. The relationship between Farage and Musk, once friendly with speculation of potential party donations, has deteriorated over their dispute regarding support for right-wing activist Tommy Robinson. Musk previously called for Farage to be replaced and has since publicly endorsed Restore Britain, a new political party led by Rupert Lowe, a former Reform UK MP.
Musk acquired Twitter in 2022, rebranded it as X, and reinstated many previously banned accounts. Despite positioning himself as a free speech advocate, the tech billionaire’s platform decisions have drawn criticism from Farage over the escalating abuse on the network.