A public rift has surfaced between Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, and Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, following Musk's controversial support for jailed activist Tommy Robinson.

In a tweet on Sunday, Musk declared that Reform UK requires “a new leader” as Farage “doesn’t have what it takes.” The remarks came amidst ongoing debates over the historical grooming scandal that plagued numerous UK towns and cities over a decade ago.

While Musk aligns with Farage and the Conservatives in calling for a national inquiry into the scandal, their disagreement centers on Robinson. Musk has voiced strong support for the activist, currently serving an 18-month prison sentence for contempt of court, labeling him a truth-teller on grooming gangs. Using his platform on X, Musk tweeted, “Free Tommy Robinson.”

Farage quickly responded, expressing surprise at Musk’s comments. “Elon is a remarkable individual, but on this, I disagree,” Farage said. “My view remains that Tommy Robinson is not right for Reform, and I never sell out my principles.”

This discord could prove embarrassing for Reform UK, which has been courting Musk as a potential ally and donor. Deputy leader Richard Tice recently praised Musk as “one of the greatest entrepreneurs in history,” and Farage has referred to him as an “absolute hero figure.”

Musk has shown an increasing interest in UK politics, particularly in relation to the grooming scandal. He has criticized key figures like Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips for their alleged failure to address the issue adequately. Musk has suggested that the government’s reluctance to investigate certain cases stems from fears of implicating Starmer, who was the head of the Crown Prosecution Service at the time.

Farage has sought to distance himself from Robinson, reiterating at a Reform UK conference that Robinson is “not what we need.” Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, was imprisoned after breaching a court injunction related to libelous allegations against a Syrian refugee. Farage has consistently maintained his opposition to Robinson’s involvement in his political ventures, recalling his departure from UKIP in 2018 over its alignment with Robinson.

When asked about Musk’s backing of Robinson, Farage explained, “Elon sees Robinson as someone who fought against grooming gangs. But the reality is Robinson’s imprisonment stems from contempt of court, not activism.”

Despite their differences, Farage downplayed the impact of Musk’s comments on Reform UK, stating, “Having Elon Musk as a supporter is very helpful to our cause. He’s a hero figure for many, particularly young people.”

However, Farage made it clear that his stance on Robinson remains firm. “I never wanted Tommy Robinson to join UKIP. I don’t want him in Reform UK – and he won’t be.”