Should Starmer worry about Musk’s relentless attacks?

One of Sir Keir Starmer’s biggest challenges in 2025 will come not from the Conservative Party, or even inside parliament or the UK, but from the heart of Donald Trump’s administration.

- ARCHIE MITCHELL

The prime minister has faced a barrage of attacks from Elon Musk since July’s general election, with the Tesla tycoon’s fury heating up in recent days over renewed calls for an inquiry into child sexual exploitation and grooming in Oldham.

The billionaire has latched onto fury at failings in the handling of historical child sex abuse cases across the country, calling for Sir Keir to be removed from office and saying safeguarding minister Jess Phillips should be jailed.

But despite being the world’s richest man, and a core member of Mr Trump’s inner circle, Mr Musk’s tirades against the British government have often strayed into outright misinformation.

The Independent looks at how seriously Sir Keir should take the threat of Mr Musk, and how much time he should spend hitting back at the billionaire’s outbursts.

Should Sir Keir be worried?

Elon Musk’s support for Mr Trump was a key factor in the former president’s successful bid to return to the White House. With 210 million followers on X, not to mention his ownership of the platform, he wields huge influence over public discourse and enjoys particular support among young men.

But despite his reach, pollster Luke Tryl, UK director of the More in Common think tank, has said Mr Musk’s approval rating is “underwater”.