Rupert Lowe earns significant income from social media
Rupert Lowe, leader of the Restore Britain party, has earned over £100,000 from posts on X since his election in 2024, outpacing his MP salary, reports BritPanorama.
The controversial politician, known for his anti-immigration rhetoric, has reportedly made an average of £931 per hour on the platform this year, according to the register of MPs’ financial interests. This includes a payment of £11,724.97 on June 10 for just five hours of work.
If his earnings continue at this rate, he could surpass his annual MP salary of £98,599 by the year’s end.
The funds are accrued through billionaire Elon Musk’s “creator revenue” programme, allowing premium users with over 500 verified followers to monetize their accounts. The programme has come under scrutiny as X has increasingly faced criticism since Musk’s takeover in 2022 for fostering a toxic environment.
Lowe defended his earnings, stating, “If I wanted to make money, I would not be in politics. I donate my entire net MP salary to local charities in my constituency – being a politician is the most expensive job I’ve ever had.”
His engagement on X has been notable; five posts on August 24 alone attracted 683,000 views and over 70,000 likes. One particularly controversial post, which called for the deportation of foreign nationals living in social housing, received 20,000 likes.
In response to media scrutiny regarding his social media income, Lowe remarked: “The Guardian is attacking me over receiving money from X. Trust me, if I wanted to make money, I would NOT be in politics.”
In March 2025, he left Reform UK amid allegations of bullying and threatening behaviour, subsequently establishing Restore Britain, a party that has gained traction for its right-wing stance on immigration. The Crown Prosecution Service has indicated that he will not face criminal charges.
Restore Britain has garnered support from Musk, who has publicly endorsed the party on his platform. As X continues to confront growing criticism, the UK government has threatened to ban the platform due to issues such as the misuse of its Grok/AI feature. Many government officials, including Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, have distanced themselves from X, citing its propensity to promote abuse and misinformation.
This raises questions about the balance of digital engagement and accountability in political discourse. The implications of Lowe’s earnings highlight the intersection of social media influence and traditional political roles in the current landscape.
