Elon Musk Slammed For “Civil War” Remarks As Racist Violence Spreads Across The UK
UK government officials have criticized Elon Musk, owner of social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), for commenting, “civil war is inevitable” under a video of violent, far-right attacks in England.
Musk’s Posts Ignite Political Reactions
Hundreds have been arrested during a wave of racist, Islamophobic, and anti-immigrant violence sparked by the disinformation surrounding the murder of three young girls last Monday.
False claims that the murder suspect was a Muslim asylum seeker led violent right-wing mobs to attack mosques and set fire to hotels housing asylum seekers across the UK.
Mobs have also targeted people of color, injured dozens of police officers, and damaged buildings and vehicles.
On Sunday, Elon Musk commented on X, claiming “civil war is inevitable” due to mass migration and open borders. He criticized the UK’s crime management as “two-tier policing,” suggesting white far-right protesters faced harsher treatment than minorities.
Musk also questioned, “Why aren’t all communities protected in Britain?” using the hashtag “#TwoTierKeir.” He shared an infographic on racial sentencing disparities.
The tech billionaire’s posts quickly garnered millions of views, prompting reactions from UK officials.
Government and Public Figures Respond
The UK government firmly rejected Musk’s assertions, with a Downing Street spokesperson stating they do not recognize his characterization of policing practices.
“There’s no justification for comments like that,” the spokesperson said, according to the Guardian.“What we’ve seen in this country is organized, violent thuggery that has no place, either on our streets or online.”
Justice Minister Heidi Alexander condemned Musk’s remarks, calling them “totally unjustifiable” and “pretty deplorable” during a radio interview. She emphasized the importance of responsible use of influence, especially during times of unrest.
Former Conservative minister Rory Stewart and Lib Dem MP Tim Farron also criticized Musk.
Stewart questioned Musk’s understanding of British communities, while Farron dismissed the idea of civil war and emphasized support for actually attacked communities.
Social Media’s Role In Stoking Violence
Social media has played a key role in inciting violence, with right-wing influencers such as English Defense League founder Tommy Robinson and former actor Laurence Fox reaching thousands of followers.
According to Politico, WhatsApp, Telegram, and Facebook have been used to organize riots; X has been a hotbed of far-right dialogue, while TikTok has been awash with videos of the violence.
The UK government is pressuring social media platforms to curb misinformation and hate speech, with Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle holding talks with tech giants.
The UK’s Online Safety Act became law in 2023 but has yet to come into full effect. It will will require social media companies to “take robust action against illegal content and activity,” including “racially or religiously aggravated” offences and inciting violence.
The Act criminalizes sharing “false information intended to cause non-trivial harm” and posting “threatening communications” online.
Feature Image Credit: Alamy
