Elon Musk fires back at reporter, claims more people 'hate you and the media than you realize' - Fox News

What the report says

Fox News reported that Elon Musk clashed with The Economist editor-in-chief Zanny Minton Beddoes during a Thursday interview at Tesla’s Gigafactory in Texas, after she questioned his efforts to influence European politics. Beddoes argued that Musk’s wealth, ownership of X and large online audience give him unusual political reach outside the United States, and said some people “loathe” him for it.

Musk rejected the criticism, pointing to his roughly 250 million followers on X as evidence that he has broad support. He responded that journalists and the media are more disliked than he is, and asserted that public opinion of reporters is very low. Beddoes acknowledged weak trust in American journalism but said social media polarization, including material promoted on X, has worsened the environment.

The exchange came amid a broader dispute over Musk’s comments on Europe, including his warnings about Britain and his support for parties Beddoes characterized as far right. Musk disputed that description, saying his positions center on safe cities, secure borders and restrained public spending. Fox also noted Reuters reporting that Musk urged Germans to support Alternative for Germany and interviewed its leader, Alice Weidel, on X ahead of Germany’s 2025 federal election.

As context, Fox cited a 2025 Gallup finding that 28% of Americans had a great deal or fair amount of trust in newspapers, television and radio to report news fully, accurately and fairly. The interview highlights continuing tensions over Musk’s political influence, X’s role in public debate, and declining confidence in traditional media.