The United Kingdom is exploring strategies to mitigate the political influence of Tesla CEO Elon Musk, who has recently engaged in international politics.
Musk, having supported President-elect Donald Trump in the U.S. 2024 election, has also expressed backing for the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) in Germany and Reform U.K. in the U.K. The Labour government is concerned about Musk's potential impact on British politics and is considering measures to restrict foreign political donations.
Commons leader Lucy Powell stated that while there are no immediate plans for new legislation, the government is committed to reviewing the electoral system to ensure its integrity against emerging threats to democracy.
Current laws already prohibit foreign donations to U.K.-based political parties. However, Powell emphasized the need to address issues undermining democracy, such as misinformation and foreign interference.
The alarm was heightened following a meeting between Musk and Reform U.K. Party leader Nigel Farage at Mar-a-Lago, where they discussed political strategies and the upcoming election landscape.
Musk has criticized the Labour government, drawing comparisons between it and totalitarian regimes. His recent endorsements have sparked renewed attention on the AfD, further complicating Germany's political climate.