Elon Musk’s baseless claims about Jess Phillips over grooming gang inquiry ignite safety fears

Jess Phillips, the UK’s Safeguarding Minister, has spoken out about her growing fears for her personal safety after a series of vicious online attacks from tech mogul Elon Musk. The billionaire Tesla CEO launched an unprovoked tirade against Phillips following her stance on the national inquiry into grooming gangs in the north of England. The controversy began when Phillips rejected the idea of a new inquiry, arguing that one had already been conducted.

Musk, known for his fiery social media presence, wasted no time in retaliating. Through his platform X, formerly Twitter, he called Phillips a “witch” and a “rape genocide apologist”—comments that have left many questioning his understanding of the sensitive issue at hand. The attacks have escalated to such an extent that Phillips admitted to ITV News that she was now seriously concerned for her safety. “Of course I worry about my safety,” Phillips said. “Anyone working in the field of violence against women and girls understands that risk is ever-present.”

The episode has not only led to fear for Phillips, but it has also ignited a much wider political storm. Musk’s claims regarding the Labour government’s handling of grooming gang cases have drawn sharp rebukes from various corners. Phillips, who has dedicated her career to tackling violence against women, was accused by Musk of downplaying the issue of child abuse—a charge she fiercely denied. “He knows absolutely nothing about grooming gangs,” Phillips retorted in response.

This spat with Musk comes at a time when the UK’s political landscape is already highly charged. With Labour fighting to maintain its grip on the nation’s political pulse, Musk’s words hold significant weight among his large social media following. The billionaire’s relentless criticism of the Labour government, particularly over issues of child abuse and immigration, has made headlines for days.

Adding fuel to the fire, Musk also took aim at Reform Party leader Nigel Farage, accusing him of lacking the “courage” needed to lead his party. This sparked further public disputes, with Musk’s attacks seemingly becoming more erratic and divisive by the day.

Musk’s recent online onslaught has prompted many to question whether the billionaire is using his platform to fuel further division in UK politics. With high-profile figures such as Phillips, Farage, and others in the firing line, the issue of social media harassment and its consequences for political figures has become a pressing concern.

For Phillips, the stakes could not be higher. She was already under intense scrutiny after her decision not to support a new national inquiry into grooming gangs—a decision that has now seen her caught in a maelstrom of online abuse. And with no signs of Musk backing down, her safety remains a pressing issue.

As the scandal rages on, the question remains: how will Musk’s social media power influence the future of UK politics? For now, it’s clear that Jess Phillips’ world has been irrevocably altered by Musk’s toxic words. She must now navigate the fallout of a battle not of her making, all while facing the very real threat that her online presence may now put her life in danger.