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🇬🇧 United Kingdom /Culture & Society

Musk posted more on UK race, immigration than SpaceX before IPO

From The Guardian · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Elon Musk posted about UK race and immigration issues twice as often as about SpaceX in the lead-up to the company's IPO.
  • The Guardian's analysis covered posts between May 31 and June 12, a period of heightened tension in the UK regarding online activity and protests.
  • Despite SpaceX's IPO on June 12, Musk's social media activity focused heavily on UK politics, including reposting content from a far-right party leader.

Elon Musk's social media activity in the run-up to SpaceX's initial public offering was heavily skewed towards UK race and immigration issues, overshadowing his own company. A Guardian analysis revealed that between May 31 and June 12, Musk posted 303 times about race and immigration, with nearly three-quarters focused on UK politics. In contrast, SpaceX, a company he is central to and which was preparing for its IPO on June 12, received only 114 posts.

Musk again has been interfering in our politics in the last few days, trying to whip up division. That is not who we are in Britain.

— Keir StarmerThe UK prime minister's criticism of Elon Musk's social media activity.

This focus on UK politics occurred during a sensitive time in the country. The period saw heightened concern over online activity, particularly from rightwing accounts, following the sentencing of Vickrum Digwa for murder and subsequent claims of "anti-white" policing. Far-right protesters clashed with police, and violent riots erupted in Northern Ireland. While UK ministers called for an end to the violence, Musk, based primarily in the US, was preparing for SpaceX's public debut.

Musk's engagement with UK politics has previously drawn criticism. Keir Starmer, the UK's prime minister, accused Musk of trying to incite division in British society. Starmer stated that Britain is a place of reasonable, tolerant people who react calmly, contrasting this with Musk's perceived interference.

In Britain we are reasonable, tolerant people. When we have a terrible case like Henry’s case, Henry Nowak, we react calmly, as his family has done.

— Keir StarmerThe UK prime minister's contrasting view of British society's reaction to events compared to Elon Musk's online engagement.

SpaceX's IPO was a significant financial event, with the company aiming to raise $75 billion and ultimately securing $85.7 billion. The firm allocated a substantial portion of shares to non-professional investors, relying on Musk's popularity. However, on the eve of the IPO, Musk's X feed was dominated by reposting content from Rupert Lowe, leader of the far-right Restore Britain party, who advocated for deportations.

Jede gute Geschichte beginnt mit einer Hochzeit

— Enola HolmesEnola Holmes's introductory line in the new Netflix film.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by The Guardian in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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