Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and owner of the social media platform X, has drawn sharp criticism for his public endorsement of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of Germany's upcoming national election. During a livestream on Thursday, Musk hosted Alice Weidel, the AfD's co-leader and candidate for chancellor, amplifying the party's message to his global audience of millions.
Musk, whose platform boasts significant influence, urged German voters to back the AfD, describing Weidel as "very reasonable" and emphasizing the party's anti-establishment rhetoric. "People really need to get behind AfD, otherwise things are going to get very, very much worse in Germany," Musk said during the broadcast, which drew more than 200,000 viewers.
The livestream, filled with critiques of Germany's energy policies, bureaucracy, and immigration system, underscored Musk's increasing involvement in European politics. "Nothing outrageous has been proposed, just common sense," Musk remarked.
Weidel expressed gratitude for the platform Musk provided, claiming it was the first time in a decade she had been able to speak without interruption from what she described as a biased media. "People love to censor things they don't agree with," Musk responded, aligning with Weidel's framing of the AfD as a party unfairly marginalized by Germany's political mainstream.
The AfD, which has surged to become Germany's second-most popular party in polls, has been under observation by German intelligence for suspected extremism. Despite its rising popularity, the party remains isolated as other political groups refuse to collaborate with it.
Musk's commentary extended beyond the livestream. In recent weeks, he labeled German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier "an anti-democratic tyrant" and called for Chancellor Olaf Scholz to resign, accusing him of incompetence. Musk has also used X to criticize Germany's decision to phase out nuclear power, calling it "one of the craziest things" he had ever seen.
European leaders reacted swiftly to Musk's foray into German politics. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez indirectly accused Musk of undermining democratic principles, while France's foreign minister called on the European Union to enforce stricter regulations on digital platforms to prevent election interference.
The European Commission is already investigating X for potential violations of its Digital Services Act (DSA), a sweeping law designed to regulate content on social media platforms and protect against disinformation. Thierry Breton, the EU's internal market chief, issued a statement ahead of Musk's livestream, warning of the need for compliance with EU laws to safeguard democratic processes.
Germany's political establishment also voiced alarm. Chancellor Scholz, in his New Year's address, stressed that Germany's future would be determined by its citizens, not "the owners of social media platforms." Lars Klingbeil, co-leader of Scholz's Social Democrats (SPD), drew parallels between Musk's influence and Russian President Vladimir Putin's tactics, accusing Musk of meddling in Germany's democratic processes.
Musk's actions echo his growing involvement in global politics, particularly his support for populist and far-right movements. Last year, he openly backed Donald Trump's re-election bid and has frequently criticized left-leaning leaders in Europe and the U.S.
The AfD has capitalized on discontent with Scholz's government and rising skepticism about Germany's involvement in NATO and the EU. Formed in 2013, the party initially focused on opposing eurozone bailouts but later shifted to hardline stances on immigration and national sovereignty, gaining traction amid frustrations over refugee policies and economic challenges.
While the AfD has seen its popularity rise, it remains unlikely to secure a governing position. Polls suggest the center-right Christian Democratic Union (CDU) leads with 31% support, compared to the AfD's 20%.
