The sleaze investigation could leave Nigel Farage facing a by-election in his Clacton constituency
Donald Trump has appeared to indicate his backing for Nigel Farage after the Reform UK leader labelled an investigation into his financial support an "establishment hit job".
The US President, who first became friends with the Reform UK leader in 2016, shared an article on his social media platform Truth Social titled "They're Running the 2024 Anti-Trump Playbook on Nigel Farage".
Mr Trump was seemingly referring to a parliamentary probe into Mr Farage over allegations the Reform UK leader did not correctly report £5billion worth of donations from the cryptocurrency tycoon Christopher Harborne ahead of the 2024 General Election.
The investigation, which is now not expected to conclude until at least September, could lead to Mr Farage being suspended from the House of Commons and even a by-election in his Clacton constituency.
Standards commissioner Daniel Greenberg opened his investigation in May.
Mr Farage faces a second investigation over undeclared donations by George Cottrell, a close associate of the Reform UK leader who was previously convicted of wire fraud in the US.
The Clacton MP insists the probes form part of an "establishment hit job", adding: "I have done no wrongdoing and followed the rules."
Mr Farage continued: "It’s now clear the establishment will stop at nothing to hurt Reform – we want to smash their cosy consensus."
Mr Trump's apparent support for Mr Farage comes after months of speculation about their relationship deteriorating.
Despite supposedly snubbing a dinner at Mar-a-Lago, Mr Trump was said to have had a personal phone call with Mr Farage to congratulate him while Sir Keir Starmer was on the brink of resigning as Prime Minister.
The piece shared by Mr Trump was published by the US website The National Pulse.
It claimed Mr Farage is facing “media hostility” with news outlets treating his party’s “popularity as a problem to be solved rather than a political phenomenon to be understood”.
It also alleged there is an increased use of “legal and regulatory institutions against political opponents” and the “emergence of billionaire-backed alternatives designed to stop the insurgent”.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch today lashed out at Mr Farage over the sleaze probe.
Mrs Badenoch accused Reform UK of being "completely distracted by their constant scandals and personal dramas”, adding: “Silly season is not for the people running the country."
Mr Farage is now preparing to make a statement on his "future in public life" at 2pm today.
In a post on social media, Mr Farage confirmed: "I will make a statement on my future in public life at 2pm."
Mr Farage returned to frontline politics just weeks before the 2024 General Election.
The 62-year-old, who previously led both Ukip and the Brexit Party, won the coastal constituency of Clacton with a majority of 8,405.
Mr Farage's victory came after seven failed attempts to enter the House of Commons, including in Eastleigh in 1994, Buckingham in 2010 and South Thanet in 2015.
Despite claiming back-to-back victories in the 2025 and 2026 Local Elections, Mr Farage found himself at the centre of intense scrutiny over the financial support he has received.
Reform UK continues to lead in the opinion polls, with Ipsos still handing Mr Farage's party a two-point advantage over Labour.
However, Andy Burnham is expected to turn the dial in Labour's favour.
The ex-Greater Manchester Mayor opened up a 14 per cent lead over Mr Farage when Britons were asked who they would want as Prime Minister.
