Mr Musk has previously backed Ms Le Pen, the hard Right populist leader, but this is the first time he has done so since she officially re-entered the race to replace centrist president Emmanuel Macron in elections next year.

Entrepreneur Mr Musk has frequently weighed in on European politics in recent years, supporting far-Right politicians. He has repeatedly criticised Sir Keir Starmer and voiced support for Rupert Lowe, the leader of Restore Britain.

In February last year, Mr Musk also congratulated Alice Weidel, the co-leader of Alternative for Germany (AfD), after her party came second in Germany’s elections.

As well as building and launching rockets and satellites, Mr Musk has expanded SpaceX into…