Nigel Farage has said he wants to “mend any broken fences” with Elon Musk when he flies out to the United States for the presidential inauguration later this month.
Mr Musk turned on the Reform leader over the weekend and called for him to be replaced, claiming he “doesn’t have what it takes”.
It came after Mr Farage distanced himself from the US tech billionaire’s support of Tommy Robinson, the jailed far-Right activist and former English Defence League leader.
The Reform leader and tech mogul had met at Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort just weeks earlier and had begun discussions about a potential multi-million-pound donation.
Both Mr Musk and Mr Farage are expected to be present at Mr Trump’s inauguration on Jan 20. Mr Musk will have a significant role in the Trump administration leading a government efficiency push.
Asked whether the row would harm his friendship with Mr Trump, Mr Farage told LBC’s Nick Ferrari: “Oh, I’ve been a friend of Donald Trump’s for a decade. I’ve been very supportive of him, he’s been very supportive of me. I can’t see that changing for a moment.
“And interestingly, despite what Elon said when he woke up the other morning, you know, that I was no good or whatever, he’s not alone with that opinion, clearly. And then yesterday he retweeted me twice with positive messages, so I don’t know.”
Pressed on how much losing Mr Musk’s support could hurt Reform, he replied: “Not having Elon’s support would damage us with that younger generation, because he kind of makes us look cool, so I’m being frank about that.
“And I am confident that whatever has been said we can mend. I really think we can [build bridges]. He said what we said… Of course I want his support, of course I will talk to him in America in a few days’ time, of course I want to mend any broken fences that might exist. I’m sure we can do it.”
‘Wasn’t going to be moved’
Mr Farage doubled down on his criticisms of Robinson, who was jailed in October for contempt of court for repeating false allegations against a Syrian refugee.
The Reform leader said he “wasn’t going to be moved” in his view, adding: “This Tommy Robinson character who some see as a hero – and alright, he’s talked about grooming gangs and other things, although he’s hardly been on his own on that, has he?
“I was first being condemned in 2012 for daring to talk about it… Robinson’s talked about this, but he has a criminal record, a list as long as your arm of violence, violence against women. I mean, I could go on.
“And all I’m saying is: ‘Look, Mr Robinson, do what the hell you like’. We are totally separate from that and I never wanted, and you know this, I’ve never wanted my parties to have anything to do with the BNP and extremism. And I never will.”
‘Only one side of the Robinson story’
He argued many of his friends in the US, including Mr Musk, had “only seen one side of the Robinson story”, saying he was attempting “to educate people as to who [he] actually is”.
Reform’s election campaign last year was marred by historical offensive comments made by a number of candidates, prompting a push to professionalise the party in recent months.
Mr Farage also defended remarks made by Mr Musk about Jess Phillips, the safeguarding minister, claiming that they did not go “beyond the line”.
The Tesla chief executive claimed Ms Phillips “deserves to be in jail” and accused her of being a “rape genocide apologist” and a “witch” after she refused to fund an inquiry into historical sexual abuse in Oldham despite a request from the council.
Sir Keir Starmer condemned the remarks on Monday, saying he was proud to call her a friend and a colleague and declaring that a “line has been crossed”.
But Mr Farage said: “If [Mr Musk] was inciting violence, then that would be going beyond the line at which free speech is acceptable. It’s very, very strong language and it offends many, but free speech should be able to offend many.”
He continued: “I don’t concur with it, although what I will say is the extent of the cover-up over the mass rapes scandal that we now learn has affected 50 different towns in this country, not the six that the so-called inquiry was looking at…
“Nearly all of my friends in America have seen these reports, read some of the transcripts from court online over the course of the Christmas/New Year period.
“They are horrified, they cannot believe this has happened in the United Kingdom and that perhaps explains some of the strong language. You may find it offensive, I don’t believe it goes beyond the line.”