{
  "id": 3068746,
  "title": "Rupert Lowe set to be paid as much for divisive posts on Elon Musk’s X as for being MP",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/rupert-lowe-set-to-be-paid-as-much-for-divisive-posts-on-elon-musks-x",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-24T16:41:37.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Guardian Business",
    "slug": "guardian-business",
    "url": "https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2026/aug/24/rupert-lowe-restore-britain-earn-same-on-x-as-being-mp-elon-musk"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Restore Britain leader Rupert Lowe is set to earn substantial sums from social media platform X, potentially rivaling his salary as an MP, following his high-income posts advocating for mass deportations. Since the beginning of the year, Lowe has earned £932 per hour for his X posts, nearly double the £377 hourly average he earned last year. His hourly rate surged to £1,476 since June. X critics argue this is evidence of the platform favoring divisive political content, influencing the UK's rightward political discourse. Elon Musk, X's owner, frequently amplifies Lowe's posts. Under X's revenue-sharing scheme, premium subscribers like Lowe earn based on their post performance. The platform recently announced changes aimed at rewarding original content. Lowe's total income from X since the 2024 general election has surpassed £105,000, with more than half earned in the first eight months of 2026. Should his recent earnings persist, Lowe could earn over £93,000 this year, nearing his current MPs' salary of £98,599. He has pledged to donate his net MP salary to local charities. Critics fear the earnings structure may incentivize divisive content, shaping British politics with little oversight.",
  "summary": "Restore Britain leader paid up to £1,476 an hour by platform, which critics say is financially incentivising inflammatory content Rupert Lowe, the leader of Restore Britain, is on course to earn as much from the social media platform X as he does from his salary as an MP, after surging income from posts that include demands for mass deportations. Lowe has earned £932 an hour for his posts on X,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}