August 8th, 2024

Elon Musk deletes post spreading fake news about UK 'detainment camps'

Elon Musk deleted a post on X sharing a fake article about UK detainment camps after 1.8 million views, amid tensions with Labour leader Keir Starmer regarding recent riots and misinformation.

Read original articleLink Icon
Elon Musk deletes post spreading fake news about UK 'detainment camps'

Elon Musk recently deleted a post on X (formerly Twitter) that shared a fake news article about alleged "detainment camps" being planned in the Falkland Islands. The article, which mimicked the style of The Daily Telegraph, was originally posted by a co-leader of the far-right political party Britain First. The headline suggested that UK Labour leader Keir Starmer was considering these camps to manage prisoners amid riots, as the prison system was reportedly at capacity. Musk's post garnered over 1.8 million views before he removed it approximately 35 minutes later. This incident follows a series of contentious exchanges between Musk and Starmer, particularly in the context of recent riots in the UK, which were fueled by misinformation regarding a suspect in a tragic incident. Starmer's spokesperson condemned Musk's comments, emphasizing that the violence seen was not representative of the UK and that the Prime Minister does not share Musk's sentiments about civil unrest.

- Elon Musk deleted a post sharing fake news about UK detainment camps after significant viewership.

- The fake article was originally posted by a far-right political figure.

- Musk's post was part of a broader exchange with UK Labour leader Keir Starmer amid recent riots.

- Starmer's spokesperson criticized Musk's comments, asserting they do not reflect the reality of the situation in the UK.

- The incident highlights the impact of misinformation on social media platforms.

Link Icon 3 comments
By @snowpid - 5 months
Musk regularly interacts with far - right extremists across Europe. While he can speak English, it is not a surprise to interact with British ones. What is more surprising he also interacts with German ones (while not able to speak the language, yet to understand German culture or society).

It is very ironic that far right extremists organise themself globally (or earlier on European level like identarian movement https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Identitarian_movement )

By @Daunk - 5 months
Not trying to be rude, just curious—why are people so obsessed with Elon Musk, whether positively or negatively?

I don't see this kind of attention given to figures like Jeff Bezos, Tim Cook, or Warren Buffett.

By @kjkdh - 5 months
"The fake piece, purportedly written by a senior news reporter for the Telegraph and mocked up in the newspaper’s style, said camps in the Falklands “would be used to detain prisoners from the ongoing riots as the British prison system is already at capacity”."

So, where is this fake article in the style of the Telegraph? Was it clearly satire? Or did it look authentic?

The most important piece is missing. Poor journalism.