Key facts
- Elon Musk's father, Errol Musk, claims the Musk Foundation funded Tommy Robinson's trip to Russia.
- Robinson, a British far-right activist, met with Russian business figures in Moscow.
- Errol Musk accompanied Robinson and expressed pro-Russian sentiments.
- The visit occurred amid Russia's apparent efforts to connect with European far-right figures.
Errol Musk, the father of billionaire Elon Musk, has stated that the Musk Foundation funded a recent trip to Russia by British far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, appeared in Moscow last month, issuing calls for anti-migration protests in Britain and sharing videos of himself with Errol Musk from a Moscow hotel.
According to Errol Musk, he brought Robinson to Russia and both men held meetings with Russian business figures. He described Robinson as "a fine young man" who is "hotheaded, but at the same time, he's learning." Errol Musk, who identifies as a Russophile and holds pro-Russian views on the Ukraine conflict, also attended an economic forum in St. Petersburg.
The visit has drawn scrutiny as it occurred while Russia has been reportedly forging links with European far-right figures, including hosting influencers Andrew and Tristan Tate. British police reportedly stopped and seized Robinson's phones upon his return from Russia. Robinson himself had previously praised Russia, sharing footage of Russian ultra-nationalists.
Experts suggest such visits are part of Russia's hybrid warfare strategy to undermine Western democracy, with potential ideological alignment between Russian ultra-nationalists and figures like Robinson and the Tates.