Elon Musk Billionaire’s Influence on the Far-Right AfD in Germany

[Social Media]

 

In December, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, set Germany’s political establishment abuzz with a six-word post on his platform, X: “Only the AfD can save Germany.” With this statement, Musk openly endorsed the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, a group that has long been considered a political outlier in Germany. Known for its controversial stances, such as opposing illegal migration, advocating for leaving the European Union, and fostering closer ties with Russia, the AfD has often been labeled as extremist by Germany’s mainstream politicians.  

 

Musk’s public support for the AfD came shortly after a meeting at Mar-a-Lago with Donald Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and other prominent figures. During the gathering, Trump reportedly criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as “boring” and made disparaging remarks about Germany’s trade practices. Trump also suggested that Scholz and Friedrich Merz, a conservative rival, would not be invited to his inauguration, should he win reelection. Musk joined in with his own critiques, and hours later, he made his now-infamous endorsement of the AfD on X.  

 

This endorsement, followed by Musk’s opinion piece in *Die Welt*, a major German newspaper, and a live interview with AfD co-leader Alice Weidel, marked the beginning of Musk’s active engagement with German politics. Musk defended the AfD’s platform as “common sense” and described Germany as being on the brink of “economic and cultural collapse.” He argued that misguided policies on immigration and overregulation were driving the country’s decline.  

 

Musk’s relationship with Germany has been complex. Tesla’s Gigafactory in the country has faced significant bureaucratic hurdles, which Musk has publicly criticized. He expressed frustration with what he called “truckloads of paperwork” required for the factory’s operations. Musk also pointed to what he sees as systemic issues, including welfare policies for illegal immigrants, which he claimed encourage laziness. “Elon doesn’t see the world in terms of left or right,” said his long-time friend and entrepreneur Martin Varsavsky. “He sees it in terms of hardworking people and lazy people.”  

 

Musk’s endorsement of the AfD was not without controversy. The AfD is classified as a far-right extremist organization by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency, and some of its members are staunchly pro-Russian and anti-American. Critics argue that Musk’s backing has provided a significant boost to the party’s credibility. Polls showed a noticeable rise in the AfD’s approval ratings after Musk’s public support, a trend confirmed by Manfred Güllner, head of the Forsa polling institute.  

 

Musk’s engagement with the AfD was further facilitated by conversations with social media activists like Naomi Seibt, who has nearly 400,000 followers on X. Seibt claims Musk asked her why the AfD is considered extremist and expressed concerns about freedom of expression in Germany. She reassured him that the AfD was not linked to Nazi ideology, likening it instead to Trump’s “America First” movement.  

 

This sentiment was echoed in Musk’s interview with Weidel, where topics ranged from Germany’s carbon footprint to bureaucratic inefficiencies. Musk’s willingness to platform the AfD leader on X introduced the party to a broader audience, helping normalize its image.  

 

While Musk has not directly responded to criticism, his actions continue to reverberate across Germany’s political landscape. His involvement has drawn condemnation from German politicians across the spectrum and sparked debates about foreign interference in domestic politics. Yet, for the AfD, Musk’s influence represents a valuable opportunity to gain legitimacy and expand its appeal.  

 

As Germany grapples with its political future, Musk’s interventions underscore the power of wealth and global platforms in shaping national debates. Whether his actions will have a lasting impact on the country’s political trajectory remains to be seen, but they have undoubtedly ignited a fierce conversation about the intersection of influence, politics, and technology.

 

Based on a report by WSJ 2025-01-27

 

 

[OneMoreFarang]

In the future there will be this story:

Once upon a time there was a guy who was very successful and the richest man on the planet. And then he decided to go into politics. That was the beginning of the end for him. 

 

[Chomper Higgot]

4 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

In the future there will be this story:

Once upon a time there was a guy who was very successful and the richest man on the planet. And then he decided to go into politics. That was the beginning of the end for him. 

 

In the meantime we have the existing history of wealthy industrialists supporting far right parties in Germany and how that went.

[JonnyF]

5 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

In the future there will be this story:

Once upon a time there was a guy who was very successful and the richest man on the planet. And then he decided to go into politics. That was the beginning of the end for him. 

 

 

Seems to be going pretty well so far. 

[OneMoreFarang]

53 minutes ago, JonnyF said:

Seems to be going pretty well so far. 

 

I don't think most Tesla customers support rightwing politics.

 

 

[Rinato]

10 hours ago, OneMoreFarang said:

In the future there will be this story:

Once upon a time there was a guy who was very successful and the richest man on the planet. And then he decided to go into politics. That was the beginning of the end for him. 

 

What about Berlusconi than?

[Will B Good]