Labour and Downing Street renewed their criticism of Elon Musk on Monday after the tech billionaire told supporters at an anti-migrant rally in London that "violence is coming" and urged people to "fight back or die." The row reopened as President Donald Trump arrived in the United Kingdom for an unprecedented second state visit, during which free speech is expected to feature prominently in talks with Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Musk appeared via video link at a rally organised by hard-right activist Tommy Robinson on Saturday, taking part in a question-and-answer session that organisers said called for "revolutionary government change." A Downing Street spokesman said the language used was "dangerous and inflammatory" and warned it threatened "violence and intimidation on our streets." The spokesman added that such rhetoric was at odds with what the British public wanted.
The dispute comes as Mr Trump is due to meet Sir Keir at the country residence Chequers later in the week. Downing Street said the leaders would discuss trade issues, including the future of steel tariffs, and international conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, but sources close to the US president have said Mr Trump is likely to press the UK on free speech. A source who spoke to The Independent said Mr Trump had raised the issue during summer talks at his Turnberry golf resort and that free speech would be "one of, if not the top issue" in discussions.
New Business Secretary Peter Kyle described the rally as "proof that we live in a country where free speech, free association, is alive and well." Labour and other opposition figures, however, emphasised the potential for inflammatory rhetoric to translate into intimidation. Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey said Britain’s democracy was "too precious to be a plaything for foreign tech barons." Reform UK leader Nigel Farage suggested context mattered, saying the phrasing could be read as referring to political engagement rather than physical confrontation.
Musk has previously clashed with Sir Keir’s government, including over events connected to the Southport riots and allegations about grooming gangs. Those earlier disputes helped set the scene for heightened scrutiny of his public statements in the UK.
Downing Street’s intervention follows increased attention to high-profile arrests and policing decisions in recent months, which officials and commentators say have helped put free speech and public order on the diplomatic agenda for Mr Trump’s visit. Whitehall officials expect the Chequers talks to cover both bilateral trade tensions and transatlantic cooperation on security and foreign policy.
Mr Musk’s participation in the rally, broadcast to a large audience, has drawn criticism from across the political spectrum in Britain. Government officials framed their comments around public safety and the prevention of intimidation, while defenders said the appearance was an exercise of free expression. The dispute adds a further flashpoint to a visit already set to feature sensitive conversations about civil liberties, law enforcement and the relationship between senior political leaders in London and Washington.