Executive Summary
On December 6, 2025, British far-right activist Tommy Robinson (real name: Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) posted a video claiming "10 dead as a car is driven into a Christmas market preparation crowds in France's Guadeloupe. Legacy media silent."
The post was reshared by Elon Musk with the caption "again" and reached 42 million views before fact-checkers could respond. Two days later, Robinson admitted he "reported incorrectly"—but the false narrative had already spread globally.
Claim vs. Reality
X commenters speculated about the "Muslim identity" of the driver, implying an Islamist terror plot.
The driver tested positive for alcohol and cannabis. Local authorities confirmed this was a DUI accident, not terrorism.
The Numbers
How the Lie Spread
According to Euronews, Robinson's post received Elon Musk's amplification within hours. By the time Robinson issued his correction on December 8, the false "10 dead" and "Islamic terrorism" narrative had become entrenched in far-right discourse.
The Monetization Incentive
Critics noted that X's monetization program gives users like Robinson a financial incentive to post viral content—regardless of accuracy. The 42 million views on the false claim likely generated significant ad revenue before any correction was issued.
Who Is Tommy Robinson?
Tommy Robinson (born Stephen Yaxley-Lennon) founded the English Defence League in 2009. He has multiple criminal convictions, including for repeating false claims about a Syrian refugee child. While serving that prison sentence, he reportedly converted to Christianity.
Robinson has a documented history of spreading misinformation, particularly involving claims designed to inflame anti-Muslim sentiment. His posts frequently go viral before fact-checkers can respond.
The Bottom Line
Nobody died in the Guadeloupe incident. It was a drunk driving accident, not a terrorist attack. Robinson's claim of "10 dead" was completely fabricated, and his implication of Islamic terrorism was baseless. While Robinson later admitted he "reported incorrectly," his correction reached a tiny fraction of the 42 million who saw the original lie.