logo
episode-header-image
Jan 2025
20m 32s

Why Elon Musk is trolling world leaders

SKY NEWS
About this episode
Elon Musk, the world's richest man, South African-born American resident and owner of X (formerly Twitter), is already within the fold of US politics and president-elect Trump's upcoming government.  
  
Recently, more of his attention has turned to Europe, with Musk sharing support for the far-right German party AfD, Nigel Farage's Reform UK and far-right activist Tommy Robinson.   
  
Niall Paterson looks to unpick what Musk's aims for European politics might be. Our deputy political editor Sam Coates joins Niall to discuss the billionaire's posts on X and the political reaction to them.  
  
Plus, culture, technology and society writer Sarah Manavis joins Niall to explore why Musk is so interested in international politics, and for what potential gain. 
 
Producer: Rosie Gillott 
Editor: Philly Beaumont 
Up next
Aug 22
The triathlete president who's now Trump's favourite: Alexander Stubb
This week, Finnish President Alexander Stubb found himself at the seat of world leaders at the White House, discussing the best route to peace in Ukraine. How? He mastered the art of befriending Trump. Tamara Cohen chats to former political adviser in the Finnish government, Joel ... Show More
16m 26s
Aug 21
Punish India to stop Putin? Trump’s tariff conundrum
Russian oil used to flow into Europe. Now, it's going to India and China instead. So, could Donald Trump's latest tariff threat against those countries put a squeeze on Russia's economic pipeline and help bring an end to the war in Ukraine? Despite the warm words and strong hands ... Show More
11m 19s
Aug 20
Caves and crypto: The secrets behind the return of ISIS
Islamic State is on the rise, once more a threat to the international community. Driven from its strongholds in Syria and Iraq, the terror group has been building a new base in the mountains of Somalia. Sky’s special correspondent Alex Crawford has visited the cave network where ... Show More
17m 41s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
Why is Elon Musk meddling in European politics?
The world’s richest man, Elon Musk, has revolutionised every industry he has ever worked in – from online payments and electric vehicles to space travel and satellite communications. Now he’s positioning himself as a major force in global politics. He is already going to play a k ... Show More
24m 33s
Jan 2025
Is Elon Musk dictating the British political agenda?
Scroll through his latest posts on X and Elon Musk has a laser focus on UK politics. His main targets? Keir Starmer and Jess Phillips MP and their response to the country’s grooming scandal. He’s also blowing hot and cold on Reform UK. So what influence is the world’s richest man ... Show More
31m 46s
Jan 2025
Elon Musk vs Labour
Today, we look a why tech multi billionaire Elon Musk, and friend of Donald Trump is getting involved in British politics.He’s been critical of Labour and Sir Keir Starmer and has formed an allegiance with Reform UK.But there’s a disagreement between Musk and its leader Nigel Far ... Show More
24m 14s
Jun 7
What's behind the Donald Trump and Elon Musk break-up?
From mutual admiration to a fierce public blow-up. The short-lived alliance between US president Donald Trump and Elon Musk appears to have come to a dramatic end. The two men have been trading accusations, threats and insults. What's behind the break-up? And why does it matter? ... Show More
24m 59s
Jan 2025
Elon Musk: Europe’s Bloviator-in-Chief
The world’s richest man has a lot to say, a vast platform, and the ear of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Now he has turned his focus to Europe. As Elon Musk weighs in on European politics, often supporting extreme candidates and promoting conspiracies, Brussels tech regs appe ... Show More
33m 56s
Apr 2025
Elon Musk and Donald Trump Are Finally (Maybe) Breaking Up
When protesters converged this past weekend across America, they seized on two central villains: Donald Trump and Elon Musk. On this episode, host and Vanity Fair editor-in-chief Radhika Jones, along with executive editor Claire Howorth and Hive editor Michael Calderone, discuss ... Show More
37m 4s
Jun 9
Are Trump and Musk Done for Good?
The storybook bromance between President Donald Trump and Elon Musk seems to have come to an end. WSJ’s Rebecca Ballhaus unpacks what happened and what the stakes are for the two powerful men. Jessica Mendoza hosts. Further Listening: - Tesla Has a Problem: Elon Musk - Elon Musk’ ... Show More
20m 59s
Jun 11
Elon and Trump need space
Vox’s Joshua Keating explains why the US government can’t have a big, beautiful breakup with Elon Musk. And now that he’s left DOGE, Elaine Kamarck from Brookings explains what happens to it. This episode was produced by Avishay Artsy with help from Denise Guerra, edited by Amina ... Show More
29m 32s
Jan 2025
Musk Shakes Up European Politics
A.M. Edition for Jan. 7. From the U.K. to Germany, the world’s richest man is causing a stir by wading into hot-button political debates. The WSJ’s Max Colchester and Bertrand Benoit explain what Elon Musk’s overarching goals may be, and how Europe is responding. Plus, the Pentag ... Show More
13m 23s
Aug 20
Elon Musk’s ‘America Party’ Takes a Back Seat
A.M. Edition for Aug 20. Billionaire Elon Musk is quietly pausing his highly publicized ambitions to launch a political party. WSJ’s Brian Schwartz says Musk plans to focus on Tesla and SpaceX, while telling allies he is reluctant to create a rift with powerful Republicans. Plus, ... Show More
14m 33s