Armando Iannucci reacts to Elon Musk’s ‘civil war’ remarks

Armando Iannucci has publicly condemned tech billionaire Elon Musk for allegedly inciting unrest during recent violent race riots in the UK. Musk faced backlash for a series of provocative tweets, including one that suggested a "civil war is inevitable in the UK." These comments drew criticism from Downing Street, prompting calls for a travel ban against the Tesla owner. Iannucci took to X/Twitter to challenge Musk, sharing images of peaceful protests and urging him to acknowledge the significant turnout of anti-racist demonstrators. In his posts, Iannucci highlighted the contrast between the peaceful protests and the far-right groups, such as the English Defence League. He encouraged Musk to share the positive images of civil society, stating, “Not civil war: a civil society.” His messages gained widespread attention, amassing millions of views, although some critics, including Piers Morgan, accused him of presenting a one-sided narrative. Iannucci has faced backlash himself, with some far-right supporters attacking him for his non-British heritage. He previously likened Musk to the "toxic and empty" planet Mars, suggesting that Musk lacks an understanding of the UK’s true character. Iannucci has consistently denounced the rioters, asserting that their loudness does not equate to popularity and that they represent only a small, violent fraction of the population. As tensions continue to rise, Iannucci's remarks underscore the ongoing struggle between far-right extremism and the broader anti-racist movement in the UK.