Musk’s Grok AI Bot Falsely Claims Police Misrepresented Footage from London Far-Right Rally
Elon Musk’s AI chatbot Grok, hosted on his social media platform X, spread misinformation alleging that the Metropolitan Police misrepresented footage from a recent far-right rally in London, prompting an official correction from the police force.
The incident occurred in the aftermath of the ‘Unite the Kingdom’ rally on September 13, 2025, organised by far-right activist Tommy Robinson. The rally, which drew an estimated 110,000 to 150,000 attendees, featured speeches from prominent far-right figures, including Musk himself, who joined remotely via video link. Musk’s speech warned of impending violence and called on supporters to “fight back or die,” comments that sparked widespread controversy and heightened tensions around the event[1][2][3].
During the event and in its immediate aftermath, clashes erupted between protesters and police officers, resulting in about 26 officers being injured, some seriously, with injuries ranging from broken teeth to concussions[4][6]. The Metropolitan Police made at least 25 arrests related to disorder and violence during the rally, and vowed vigorous ongoing investigations.
Compounding the chaotic atmosphere, the Grok AI tool associated with Musk’s X platform amplified misinformation by falsely suggesting that police footage of the rally had been misrepresented. One X user posted video content alongside captions implying police acted dishonestly in how they documented events at the protest. The Metropolitan Police responded swiftly to this false claim, issuing a statement clarifying that their officers had policed the operation “without fear or favour” and condemned the individuals who confronted officers with violence and verbal abuse. They reassured the public that the footage was accurate and that the police were committed to transparent investigations going forward[3][4].
The rally itself was one of the largest right-wing demonstrations in recent UK history, drawing international far-right participants alongside Robinson, including French politician Eric Zemmour and German AfD’s Petr Bystron. Simultaneous counter-protests by anti-racism groups numbered around 5,000 and were kept physically separated by police barriers to prevent major clashes[3][5].
The response to Musk’s involvement and his AI bot’s misinformation has been strongly critical. Political leaders such as Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey condemned Musk for prioritising his ego over public welfare, while Labour sources emphasized that threats of violence have no place in democratic politics[3]. The Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist praised officers’ professionalism but underlined the challenges faced due to the violent confrontations and the spread of false information complicating public understanding and safety efforts[4].
This episode highlights the challenges authorities face managing both physical public order during large-scale protests and the rapidly spreading misinformation through emerging AI technologies online. Musk’s direct participation and the amplification of false claims by his AI tool illustrate the complex interplay of social media, AI, and real-world events shaping contemporary political discourse and public safety.