Musk's inflammatory rhetoric has escalated tensions in Belfast, where violent riots erupted, forcing police to unleash water cannons on demonstrators.
The billionaire tech mogul vehemently denied any responsibility for the chaos that unfolded over two nights, as anti-immigrant protests spiraled into violence. Police struggled to maintain order as rioters clashed with law enforcement.
Protesters took to the streets after a Sudanese man was arrested for attempted murder following a brutal knife attack. The situation deteriorated rapidly, with police deploying water cannons against crowds hurling objects at them.
Video footage captured the mayhem, showing rioters attacking police vehicles while law enforcement retaliated with water cannons. The unrest primarily centered in Newtownabbey, just north of Belfast.
Musk's response came via his social media platform, X, where he stated, "Murderous migrants beheading innocent people in their home town is what’s making people angry, not 'social media'!"
This statement followed his retweet of a call for nationwide protests from Tommy Robinson, a controversial figure with a criminal record. Musk urged followers to protest "REPEATEDLY and LOUDLY" for change.
The rioters responded with escalating violence, torching homes and vehicles in Belfast. The demonstrations continued into the night, with masked individuals setting ablaze not just cars but also barricades and residential properties.
Politicians condemned the attacks, noting that ethnic minorities were specifically targeted. Local pastor Jack McKee reported that long-time church members were forced from their homes due to their race.
In the aftermath of the violence, several schools in Belfast closed early, and public transport services were suspended in anticipation of further unrest. An additional 200 police officers were deployed to patrol the streets.
Two officers sustained injuries during the previous night's clashes. The community is gripped by anxiety as families fear for their safety.
A local Muslim woman expressed her concerns about her children's safety at school after her son faced racist taunts. She ultimately regretted sending them to school amid the turmoil.
Protests also spread to Scotland, England, and Wales, albeit on a smaller scale and with less violence. The unrest ignited after police charged a 30-year-old Sudanese man with attempted murder related to a viral knife attack.
The attack left Stephen Ogilvie severely injured, losing his left eye and suffering multiple wounds. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer condemned the incident as "horrific."
The victim's family urged an end to the violence, stating they did not want their tragedy used to incite division or hostility. They emphasized that they do not share the values of those exploiting the situation.
The suspect, Hadi Alodid, faced court on charges including attempted murder and possession of a knife. He was denied bail.
The protests were fueled by right-wing social media accounts that seized on the attack video to incite further unrest. Musk and Robinson were among those amplifying these messages.
Racist posts circulated online, even sharing addresses of targeted individuals. Northern Ireland police received distress calls from families fearing for their safety due to this reckless behavior.
Authorities condemned the doxxing as "completely unacceptable" and warned that sharing personal information with malicious intent could lead to criminal charges.
Local leaders called for calm and promised prosecution for those involved in the riots. So far, three arrests have been made, with charges including rioting and attempted criminal damage.
Starmer stated that those targeted due to their background would face justice. Northern Ireland's Justice Minister Naomi Long criticized Musk for his role in stoking tensions online.
Long accused Musk of having no genuine interest in the community and claimed his actions contributed to radicalizing young people on the streets.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill condemned the violence as "outright thuggery," asserting that racism and intimidation are intolerable in any form.
