Donald Trump and Elon Musk have been accused of launching a “phoney war” on Sir Keir Starmer and Labour as an attention-grabbing exercise as the former president struggles in his bid to return to the White House.
Former Labour ministers are among the critics of the tech billionaire and ex-president, who appear to be laying the groundwork for a claim of cheating in the election if Mr Trump loses on 5 November. But even sources close to the Trump camp have told The Independent the claims of interference being made against Labour are “not being taken seriously at all”, and they have warned it will lead to questions about Nigel Farage’s role as a Trump campaign cheerleader.
The row broke out as Mr Musk declared war on a campaign group linked to the heart of Sir Keir’s government. The tech billionaire accused the Center for Countering Digital Hate (CCDH), founded by Sir Keir’s chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, of “violating US criminal statutes against foreign interference in elections”.
Mr Musk said he and his team are “going after” the CCDH and their donors after a report from the Disinformation Chronicle newsletter claimed to have uncovered a strategy document from the group which included a plan to “Kill Musk’s Twitter”.
Mr Musk’s remarks come hours after the Trump-Vance camp filed a legal complaint accusing the Labour Party of illegal foreign campaign donations after it emerged that scores of party activists had flown across the Atlantic to help the Kamala Harris operation ahead of the presidential election next month. But the double attack has been blasted on both sides of the Atlantic.
Esta historia es de la edición October 24, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición October 24, 2024 de The Independent.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
Why Is Starmer So Against An EU Youth Travel Scheme?
The prime minister has once again been urged to agree to a limited scheme to allow young people to travel freely between the UK and the EU for the purposes of work or study, and has once again signalled his refusal to consider it.
Why home advantage has lost its sting in Test series.
“The tour is only a matter of hours old, but the wry thought occurs to me that reputations will almost certainly be destroyed in the next few months.”
North can't compete with south's individual X factor
Ex-Lions captain Sam Warburton has a theory why southern hemisphere teams have dominated the autumn internationals
Aimless Villa stagger to bore draw against Juventus
Aston Villa and Unai Emery have run out of ideas, far too early in the Spaniard’s previously exhilarating revolution.
Reds humble Real and Slot does what Klopp could not
A few weeks ago, it was possible to look at Arne Slot’s seemingly impressive start at Liverpool, adopt a sceptical tone and ask who they had really beaten.
Vauxhall's closure shows No 10 must recharge EV rules
Electric vehicles aren't selling in the volume anticipated and James Moore says government is right to order a swift review
Nationwide banks £2bn in takeover of Virgin Money
Nationwide has gained £2.3bn following its acquisition of Virgin Money, according to the firm’s half-year results.
Red Sea boat survivors were trapped in cabins, says diver
Two Britons who were on the yacht remain unaccounted for
Record snowfall leaves Seoul scrambling to cope
Transport chaos and power cuts hit city as two die on roads
Myanmar junta chief faces crimes against humanity charge for Rohingya deaths
Arrest warrant requested by International Criminal Court