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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Politics
Rachael Burford

Prime Minister 'looking forward' to working with Donald Trump and Elon Musk

President-elect Donald Trump walks with Elon Musk - (AP)

Sir Keir Starmer is “looking forward” to working with Donald Trump and his new White House team - including Elon Musk, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said on Tuesday.

The world’s richest man has been selected to lead a new "Department of Government Efficiency" (Doge) when Trump takes charge as President in January.

The controversial Tesla tycoon has been critical of Sir Keir and the British Government on X, the social media platform Mr Musk bought in 2022.

Asked whether Sir Keir would welcome Mr Musk taking part in UK politics, the PM’s spokesman said: “We have always said we look forward to working with the President [elect] and his whole team, his whole administration, to progress with the UK/US relationship.

“There are a number of issues where we look forward to working with the President and his whole team.”

It comes amid rumours that Labour is plotting changes to the way money is donated to political parties after reports the SpaceX owner is planning to give $100million to Nigel Farage’s Reform party.

The £79million donation would be by far the largest in British electoral history and come via the British arm of his social media firm, it is speculated.

Conservative Party officials have warned Mr Musk could hand over the cash as a “f*** you Starmer payment” in his ongoing feud with the UK premier.

Asked about the reports, Sir Keir’s spokesman added: “When it comes to political donations I would point you to the current rules.

“The Government’s commitment remains to protect democracy by strengthening the rules around donations to political parties.”

However, it is understood that the Government is not considering a cap of donations.

In his first foreign trip since winning the election Trump will attend the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris this weekend.

The historic landmark is set to reopen on Saturday after more than five years of reconstruction following a devastating fire in 2019.

About 50 heads of state and government expected to attend the celebration.

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