Prime Minister Keir Starmer got a taste of the topsy-turvy politics of the coming Trump era as his government spent the weekend defending itself from attacks from Elon Musk, only to see the billionaire provocateur turn on his erstwhile British ally,

U.S. billionaire Elon Musk said on Sunday that Nigel Farage should step down as the leader of Britain's right-wing Reform UK party in an abrupt withdrawal of support. Musk had seemingly backed Brexit campaigner Farage and posed for a photograph with him as recently as last month.

Elon Musk has said Reform UK needs a new leader because Nigel Farage “doesn’t have what it takes”. The tech billionaire’s comments came just hours after Farage described him as “a hero”. His latest intervention on UK politics casts serious doubt on claims he was prepared to make a substantial donation to Reform.