Farage aims to ‘mend fences’ with Elon Musk in US

Nigel Farage says he wants to “mend fences” with Elon Musk, after the billionaire Trump adviser called for him to be replaced as Reform UK event chief.

Just before Christmas, Farage told journalists his event was in “negotiations” with Mr Musk, the globe’s richest man, about a potential donation.

But arrive the recent year, the connection had soured, with Tesla boss Mr Musk saying Farage “did not have what it takes” to navigator the event.

Farage suggested the snub was over a disagreement about Mr Musk’s back for the jailed far-correct activist Tommy Robinson.

Speaking on LBC, Farage said he planned to repair his connection with Mr Musk during an upcoming “four or five” day trip to the US for Donald Trump’s inauguration as president on 20 January.

“Of course I desire his back, of course I will talk to him in America in a few days’ period, of course I desire to mend any broken fences that might exist,” he said.

“I have no desire to leave to war with Elon Musk and I’m not going to, and I haven’t done”, he added. “I’m a huge admirer of him – I ponder he’s an heroic figure.”

He repeated his conviction that losing Mr Musk’s back would damage the event’s chances with younger voters, because the tech business owner was “a cult hero figure” and “he benevolent of makes us look chilly”.

However, Farage said he “would not be moved” over Mr Musk’s call to free Tommy Robinson, real name Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, who was jailed in October last year for repeating untrue claims against a Syrian refugee.

The Reform UK chief said many of his “American friends” had only “seen one side of the Robinson narrative”, and were unaware of Robinson’s criminal record.

“He has been in prison many times over the years… Once he almost brought down a trial at which gang rapists were ultimately convicted,” Farage said.

He added that embracing Robinson would do Reform UK “immense damage, and probably rightly so.”

However, Farage insisted Mr Musk’s backing was “not crucial” and suggested the falling out with the billionaire could advantage Reform UK in upcoming.

He added: “The truth that I’ve stood up on a point of principle – even if in the short term it’s to my detriment – in the long run may even work in our favour.”