Could Elon Musk buy TikTok?Several reports say that's what Chinese government officials are contemplating.It sure seems like a stretch! And there are lots of downsides. But we're in a weird time, where weird deals could become reality.

$540 $319 for your first year Make up your own mind. Build robust opinions on the FT's trusted journalism. Offer available until 27 February 2025. Then $75 per month. Complete digital access to quality FT journalism. Cancel anytime during your trial.

Elon Musk’s recent obsession with UK politics is being fuelled by a series of popular accounts on his social media platform X, which the billionaire appears to be turning to for information on the grooming gangs scandal and Sir Keir Starmer’s track record as a prosecutor.

Elon Musk has called for Nigel Farage to be replaced as leader of Reform UK in a surprising U-turn hours after the British politician refused to endorse some of the tech billionaire’s latest online claims. “The Reform party needs a new leader. Farage doesn’t have what it takes,” Musk wrote on X, his social media site, on Sunday afternoon.

Presented by Lucy Fisher. Produced by Lulu Smyth. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Original music by Breen Turner and mixed by Simon Panayi. The FT’s head of audio is Cheryl Brumley.

Sonja Hutson Helping Donald Trump win re-election was the easy part for Elon Musk. All he had to do was shell out a cool $260mn. But now comes the hard part for Musk: figuring out where he fits in the Maga world.

Elon Musk is the world’s richest person, according to Forbes, with a net worth of $237 billion as of September 2024. Experts say he is likely to become the world’s first trillionaire by 2027. Most of his fortunes are from multi-business ventures.

New polling in the U.K. shows Musk with a net approval rating of minus 51, with 71 percent feeling negatively toward the billionaire businessman.

Elon Musk could occupy space in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building next to the West Wing to head up the newly created Department of Government Efficiency, known as DOGE.

Mr. Musk has fallen out with prominent right-wing Americans who say they are worried that their agenda may be sidelined in favor of his own — and that he is willing to silence them on X.

The location suggests that Mr. Musk, who owns companies with billions of dollars in contracts with the federal government, will continue to have remarkable access to President-elect Donald J. Trump.

Use precise geolocation data and actively scan device characteristics for identification. This is done to store and access information on a device and to provide personalised ads and content, ad and content measurement, audience insights and product development. List of Partners (vendors)