Elon Musk sparks controversy with poll asking if the US should "liberate" the UK

Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has ignited fresh controversy with a poll on his X platform, asking users whether the United States should "liberate" the United Kingdom from its "tyrannical government."

The poll, launched on January 6, has already garnered nearly two million votes and is set to conclude today.

This marks another instance of Musk weighing in on British politics, amid his ongoing feud with the Labour government over its handling of child abuse cases. The Tesla and SpaceX CEO has previously used polls on X to make significant decisions, including stepping down as X's CEO and reinstating Donald Trump’s account.

The poll has sparked diverse reactions, with some users suggesting the UK should become a U.S. state. Musk appeared to entertain the idea, responding to a comment about Britain becoming the 52nd state alongside Canada, calling it "not a bad idea."

Others advocated for a democratic resolution, with one user stating, "They can liberate themselves through the vote. That is why democracy exists."

However, Musk’s father, Errol Musk, dismissed the poll and advised people to ignore his son’s provocations. Speaking to LBC News, Errol Musk remarked, "Tell him to get lost. People don’t have to listen to what he says."

The poll follows heightened tensions between Musk and UK officials. Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips recently rejected demands for a government-led inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Oldham, a decision that Musk criticized on X.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer also responded to Musk’s allegations without naming him directly, stating, "Those spreading lies and misinformation as far and as wide as possible, they’re not interested in victims."

Musk’s critique has drawn renewed attention to decades-long cases of child sexual exploitation across England. Between 1997 and 2013, at least 1,400 children were subjected to grooming and abuse in Rotherham, northern England, according to a 2014 inquiry.

Gangs of men targeted vulnerable, predominantly white girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, with many victims living in children's homes. These crimes spanned several towns, including Rotherham, Rochdale, Oxford, and Bristol, over nearly 40 years.

Some of the incidents coincided with Keir Starmer’s tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), further fueling the controversy.