(L-R): Alice Weidel, co-leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) political party; Tesla CEO and X owner Elon Musk. Sean Gallup/Getty Images/Allison Robbert/Pool/Reuters.
Elon Musk has once again stirred controversy by endorsing Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of the country’s snap elections on February 23. On Thursday, during an audio livestream on X, Musk described AfD co-leader Alice Weidel as “very reasonable” and urged Germans to support the party.
“Only AfD can save Germany, end of story,” Musk declared. He warned of worsening conditions if Germans fail to back the party, drawing parallels between Germany’s political climate and the discontent that led to Donald Trump’s 2016 victory in the United States.
Musk, a close ally of President-elect Trump, emphasized the need for change, saying, “If you are unhappy with the situation, you must vote for change.”
During the livestream, Musk and Weidel discussed several contentious topics. Musk claimed that Trump’s administration could resolve the ongoing war in Ukraine “very quickly.” Weidel expressed hope that the U.S. would take the lead, accusing European nations of escalating the conflict without taking responsibility.
Weidel also touched on Germany’s relationship with Trump, calling it “unbelievable” that the nation had treated him poorly during his presidential campaigns. She criticized the German government’s approach, saying it caused her “physical pain” to see Trump disparaged.
The conversation also veered into sensitive territory regarding Germany’s responsibility to protect Jewish communities. Weidel claimed that AfD is the “only protector of the Jewish people” in Germany, while criticizing what she described as threats posed by “Muslim crime.”
Musk’s endorsement of AfD is the latest in a string of his political engagements in Europe. His increasing involvement has raised alarms among European leaders. Germany’s Social Democrats (SPD) co-leader Lars Klingbeil compared Musk’s actions to those of Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of meddling in Germany’s internal affairs.
Musk has previously attacked German leaders on X, calling President Frank-Walter Steinmeier an “anti-democratic tyrant” and urging Chancellor Olaf Scholz to resign after a car-ramming incident in Magdeburg.
The endorsement has added to tensions between Musk and the European Union. The European Commission is already investigating Musk’s platform, X, for potential violations of its Digital Services Act (DSA). EU officials have expressed concerns about the platform’s role in influencing democratic processes.
Germany’s parliament is also reviewing whether Musk’s livestream constitutes illegal interference in the election campaign. As the February election approaches, the controversy surrounding Musk’s comments is expected to intensify, highlighting the growing challenges of foreign influence in European politics.
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