Musk Foundation Funded Tommy Robinson's Russia Trip, Prompting UK Foreign-Interference Alarm
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · Jul 12
Musk Foundation Funded Tommy Robinson's Russia Trip, Prompting UK Foreign-Interference Alarm
3 articles · Updated · The Guardian · Jul 12
Summary
Errol Musk said the Musk Foundation paid for Tommy Robinson’s trip to Russia, where the far-right activist met Russian business figures and appeared in Moscow with Musk last month.
Robinson used the visit to praise Russia as a “civilised society” and urged supporters onto the streets after the Belfast knife attack, while Errol Musk said he had personally brought him there.
UK police stopped Robinson on his return and seized his phones, as Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey said the case showed Britain must better defend democracy from far-right actors and foreign interference.
The disclosure adds to scrutiny of Russian outreach to European far-right figures; Andrew Tate and his brother were also in Russia at the same time, posting footage with apparent military links.
It also renewed pressure on UK authorities over use of X, with critics arguing Elon Musk’s platform and wider influence pose risks to British democratic institutions.
Is Elon Musk's father now a key player in Russia's hybrid war against the West?
As its military falters, is Russia weaponizing Western influencers to sow chaos abroad?
Can democracies defend against foreign influence when it is disguised as free speech?
How Elon Musk’s Funding of Tommy Robinson’s 2026 Moscow Trip Sparked UK Security Fears and Political Outrage
Overview
In June 2026, Tommy Robinson appeared in Moscow, staying at the luxury Metropol hotel and sharing a video with Errol Musk. During his visit, Robinson showed interest in Russia’s declining birth rates and used his platform to call for protests in Belfast. At the same time, Andrew Tate and his brother were also in Moscow, posting footage with Russian military personnel. These events happened as Vladimir Putin’s government was actively building ties with European far-right figures. The presence of Robinson and the Tate brothers in Moscow quickly raised serious concerns among UK politicians, who saw it as part of Russia’s political warfare against the UK and Europe.