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Elon Musk Rejects Claims Linking Him to Belfast Riots Amid Rising Tensions
Belfast, Northern Ireland – Billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk has dismissed allegations that he played a role in inciting the recent violent riots in Belfast, where police deployed water cannons to quell unrest over two consecutive nights.
The disturbances erupted following the arrest of a Sudanese man charged with attempted murder after a brutal knife attack. Protesters, many expressing anti-immigrant sentiments, clashed with law enforcement in Newtownabbey, just north of Belfast. Police released footage showing demonstrators throwing objects at vehicles, prompting a water cannon response aimed at restoring order.
Musk took to his social media platform X to distance himself from the violence, posting: “Murderous migrants beheading innocent people in their home town is what’s making people angry, not ‘social media’!” This came after he retweeted a call for nationwide protests by controversial figure Tommy Robinson, known for his anti-Muslim activism and criminal history, urging that “Only by protesting REPEATEDLY and LOUDLY will there be any change!!”
The protests escalated on Wednesday night, with masked rioters setting fire to homes, vehicles, and barricades across various Belfast neighborhoods. Authorities reported that ethnic minority communities were disproportionately targeted, forcing some families to evacuate their residences amid the chaos.
Local pastor Jack McKee expressed deep concern, noting that longstanding church members had their homes vandalized or destroyed, attributing the attacks to racial animus. Schools in the affected areas closed early, and public transportation services were curtailed as police increased their presence with an additional 200 officers on patrol. Two officers sustained injuries during the initial violence.
Community members voiced fears over safety and rising hostility. Naomi, a Muslim mother from North Belfast, recounted withdrawing her son from school early due to racist bullying and expressed regret over sending her children into an increasingly hostile environment.
The unrest follows the viral circulation of footage showing a 30-year-old Sudanese man, Hadi Alodid, attacking Stephen Ogilvie with a knife. Ogilvie suffered severe injuries, including the loss of an eye. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the attack, calling it “horrific,” while the victim’s family appealed for peace, urging that their loved one’s tragedy not be used to fuel division or hatred.
Authorities have condemned the spread of racist content and doxxing on social media platforms, including X, where inflammatory posts called for protests and circulated personal addresses, endangering families and individuals. Police warned that sharing such information could constitute a criminal offense, and investigations are underway.
Several arrests have been made related to the disturbances, with charges including rioting and assault. Political leaders from across Northern Ireland have condemned the violence and racism. Starmer emphasized that those responsible “will feel the full force of the law.”
Justice Minister Naomi Long criticized Musk and others for exacerbating tensions through social media, accusing them of exploiting community pain to advance anti-immigration agendas. “The young people on the streets have been radicalized by the wild west he has created on X,” she stated.
First Minister Michelle O’Neill decried the violent acts as “outright thuggery,” highlighting the racial intimidation faced by targeted families and reaffirming that such behavior is unacceptable.
As Belfast grapples with the fallout, calls for calm and reconciliation remain urgent, with authorities and community leaders seeking to restore peace and protect vulnerable residents from further harm.