Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, has voiced his discontent after not receiving an invitation to the UK government’s upcoming International Investment Summit. The exclusion reportedly stems from his controversial social media posts during the riots that erupted across the UK last month.
Musk took to X, formerly Twitter, to express his frustration, stating, “I don’t think anyone should go to the UK when they’re releasing convicted pedophiles in order to imprison people for social media posts.” This comment follows the UK government’s decision to release certain prisoners to alleviate overcrowding in jails, though none were convicted of sex offenses. Amid civil unrest and violent protests that followed a tragic stabbing in Southport, where three children lost their lives, Musk had also made predictions of civil war in the UK, alongside harsh criticisms of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
The October summit is poised to be a critical event for attracting significant investment to the UK economy, with hopes of drawing in tens of billions of pounds from some of the world’s largest investors. Musk, who was invited to last year’s summit but chose not to attend, previously participated in a prominent role at November’s AI Summit with then-Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
While the government has refrained from commenting directly on Musk’s absence, Shadow Chancellor Jeremy Hunt noted that it represents a “big loss,” recalling Musk’s earlier plans to establish a new car plant in Europe, with the UK being a potential location.
Musk’s recent posts during the riots included a conspiracy theory regarding the UK allegedly building “detainment camps” for rioters, comments which government officials labeled as “totally unjustifiable.” David Yelland, a public relations expert, cautioned that Musk’s presence at the summit would be “reputationally disastrous,” citing concerns over the spread of misinformation.
The government’s decision to exclude Musk highlights the potential reputational risks associated with inviting him, especially in light of ongoing efforts to attract international investment despite the complexities involved, particularly with nations known for human rights issues.
As the UK gears up for the summit on October 14, the stakes are high, with both government officials and industry leaders recognizing the urgent need for foreign investment to bolster the economy. Meanwhile, Musk is reportedly focusing on establishing a second European gigafactory, amidst ongoing discussions about future investments and the impact of his public persona on business opportunities.
