Former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf has called Elon Musk “one of the most dangerous men on the planet,” accusing the billionaire of using his platform to promote division and undermine democracy. In a video posted to his official X account on Thursday, Yousaf alleged that Musk is plotting to overthrow UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
Yousaf’s remarks follow a series of controversial actions and statements by Musk, who has faced criticism for aligning with far-right figures and promoting anti-Muslim sentiments. Musk, via his social media platform X, has taken a keen interest in UK politics since the Labour Party’s election victory in July, repeatedly attacking Starmer and calling for a new election.
Earlier this week, Musk posted a poll to his 210 million followers asking, “Should America liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government?” He has also shared criticism of Starmer under the hashtag #TwoTierKeir, a reference to unsubstantiated claims of unequal policing, suggesting far-right protesters face harsher treatment than pro-Palestinian or Black Lives Matter demonstrators.
Musk has also drawn attention to high-profile cases of child sexual abuse in northern England, involving grooming gangs largely made up of men of Pakistani descent, which has fueled divisive rhetoric.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded to Musk’s comments on Monday, accusing him of spreading “lies and misinformation” aimed at undermining British democracy. Starmer described Musk’s actions as a deliberate attempt to destabilize the government.
Yousaf echoed these concerns, condemning Musk for using his wealth and influence to amplify harmful ideologies. “Elon Musk needs to be stopped,” Yousaf said. “This isn’t just about one tweet or one individual. It’s about a global pattern of powerful individuals leveraging massive platforms to normalize prejudice, create division, and spread disinformation.”
Yousaf pointed to Musk’s public support for far-right figures, including Tommy Robinson, Geert Wilders, and Germany’s AfD party, all of whom have been accused of promoting anti-Muslim rhetoric. “Musk’s actions reflect his far-right sympathies, driven by anti-Muslim hatred,” Yousaf stated.
He warned of the historical consequences of unchecked prejudice, comparing Musk’s rhetoric to dangerous populist movements of the 1930s. “History has taught us the catastrophic consequences of allowing hatred against a community to go unchecked,” Yousaf said. “Ignoring Musk and the far-right is not an option. We must confront their divisive rhetoric head-on.”
Yousaf’s comments underscore growing concerns over the influence of tech billionaires in global politics and the potential for social media platforms to spread harmful ideologies.