Musk giving ‘serious thought’ to donating to Reform UK, says Farage

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Nigel Farage said on Tuesday that Elon Musk is “seriously considering” donating to his Reform Britain party as it seeks to strengthen relations with President-elect Donald Trump.

Farage Had an hour-long meeting with tech billionaire and Reform UK’s new treasurer Nick Candy at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on Monday, the party said in a statement.

“Money was discussed. We are negotiating whether he can help,” Farage said. “He is motivated enough by what is happening in Britain to seriously consider giving money.”

Musk he is set to lead a new so-called Department of Government Efficiency and appears to have become deeply involved in Trump’s transition team, meeting with world leaders.

Former minister Peter Mandelson, who is in the running to become the next ambassador to the US, has previously urged Britain to use Farage to forge closer ties with Musk, amid criticism of the billionaire’s government and concerns the X boss could undermine both countries between official diplomatic channels.

Musk, who also runs Tesla and SpaceX, denied reports earlier this month that he was planning to donate $100m to Farage’s party, although the meeting came after Candy promised to turbocharge the organisation’s fundraising efforts :

Farage is trying to turn his political startup, which won five seats in July’s general election, into a reliable power machine by building a grassroots campaign in areas where the party already has significant support.

These include areas in the north and east of England, as well as Wales.The party came second in the UK election with 98 seats, of which Labor won 89.

The party now has more than 100,000 members, but bringing in more money from donors will be crucial to boosting its electoral chances.

“We have learned a lot about Trump’s ground game and will have ongoing discussions on other areas,” Farage and Candy said in a joint statement. “We have one more chance to save the west and together we can do great things.”

Candy, a former Tory donor, announced he was joining the party as treasurer last week and pledged to give at least £1m of his own money to Reform and raise “tens of millions”.

When Farage announced in X earlier this month that the party was “building a winning team to change British politics forever”, Musk responded: “When is the first election opportunity?”

Farage hopes Reform will make significant progress in May’s local elections, when he believes he can win several hundred council seats and at least one mayor.

The party has been boosted in recent weeks by several high-profile Tory defectors, including former Tory MP Dame Andrea Jenkins, who is running for mayor of Greater Lincolnshire; Tim Montgomery, founder of Conservative Home; and Rael Braverman, husband of former Home Secretary and Tory MP Suella Braverman.

Farage first met Musk in October when he was introduced by Trump and told the Financial Times he was impressed by the Tesla chief’s “incredible knowledge” of the UK, “even on farmers and inheritance tax”.

Elon Musk has been reached for comment.