New Delhi: Elon Musk and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer have clashed over the billionaires assertion that the United Kingdom is on the brink of a “civil war.” The Tesla CEO intensified his confrontation with Downing Street amidst the violence and unrest in the UK, raising concerns about internet misinformation exacerbating the turmoil.Musks Warning of Civil WarMusk has voiced his opinions multiple times since the chaos began following the stabbing deaths of three young girls in Southport, northwest England, on July 29. Using his social media platform, X, Musk responded to a video of UK rioters setting off fireworks at police with the comment, “Civil war is inevitable.”Civil war is inevitable— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 4, 2024Downing Streets ResponseThe Prime Ministers spokesperson immediately condemned Musks remarks, stating there is “no justification for comments like that” and warning that “anyone who is whipping up violence online will face the full force of the law.” The spokesperson emphasized that the unrest involves a “minority of thugs” and praised community efforts to restore order.Musks Retort to PMs CriticismMusk continued his critique by responding to a social media post by PM Keir Starmer, who had condemned violence against Muslims. Starmer had described the unrest as “pure violence” and declared, “We will not tolerate attacks on mosques or on Muslim communities.” Musk questioned this stance, asking, “Shouldnt you be concerned about attacks on *all* communities”Shouldnt you be concerned about attacks on *all* communities— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 5, 2024Details of the Stabbing AttackThe tragic knife attack resulted in the deaths of Elsie Dot Stancombe, 7, Alice Dasilva Aguiar, 9, and Bebe King, 6. Axel Rudakubana has been charged with their murders and ten counts of attempted murder. Following the attack, police have taken at least 400 people into custody. False information circulating online claimed the attacker was a Muslim immigrant who arrived in the UK by boat. In reality, Rudakubana, the son of Rwandan parents, was born in Cardiff. Influencer Andrew Tate further fueled the misinformation by labeling the attacker an “illegal migrant.” This misinformation has led to protests targeting mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers.The controversy threatens government efforts to make social media companies more accountable for removing offensive content believed to incite violence. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle met with executives from TikTok, Meta, Google, and X to emphasize their responsibility in curbing the spread of hateful misinformation.
