Elon Musk, a tech billionaire, has gotten a lot of bad press after delivering a passionate video message to a massive far-right event in London. In it, he threatened protesters, “Either fight back or you die.” The comments were made at the “Unite the Kingdom” march, which was organized by the infamous campaigner Tommy Robinson.
The Metropolitan Police claim that between 110,000 and 150,000 people came to the rally, making it one of the biggest far-right events in British history. Musk’s address, which was projected on a giant screen, warned that “massive uncontrolled migration” is ruining Britain and that the political left is “the party of murder.” He also said that “parliament should be dissolved” and “the government should change” to halt this.
As a smaller counter-protest, some 5,000 people who were against racism went up to the gathering. Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist said that some of the people who came to protest were “intent on violence,” even though the police said that many of them had done so legitimately. Twenty-six police officers were harmed in fights with protesters, and four of them were seriously hurt. They hurt their teeth and possibly shattered their noses. At least 25 persons were arrested for charges such violent disruption, assault, and damage to property.
Politicians from all over the UK have rapidly spoken out against Musk’s views. Ed Davey, the head of the Liberal Democrats, remarked on X, “Our democracy is too important to be a toy for tech barons from other countries.” He further added that Musk is only interested in his own ego. A source from Labour also termed the comments “disgusting.”
As of Sunday, neither Elon Musk nor anybody speaking for him had made an official statement to clarify or take back what he said. But the comments have already made the national debate over immigration and free speech more heated, putting Musk in the middle of a massive political fight.