Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has reiterated his support for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, publicly endorsing its leader Alice Weidel during a livestream on X (formerly Twitter) on Thursday.
“Only AfD can save Germany, end of story,” Musk declared in the discussion, urging German voters to rally behind the controversial party ahead of snap elections on February 23. Musk praised Weidel as a “very reasonable person” and criticized mainstream political leaders for issues such as immigration and media “censorship.”
The AfD, founded in 2013, has grown in popularity, particularly in eastern Germany, and is currently polling at around 20%. Despite its rise, the party remains isolated as all major political factions refuse to consider it a coalition partner. Several chapters of the AfD are classified as extremist by Germany’s domestic intelligence service.
Musk’s endorsement has drawn sharp criticism from European leaders. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez warned of the potential return of fascism, accusing Musk of “stirring up hatred” and undermining democratic institutions. French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot called on the European Commission to act against Musk’s political interference, stating: “We have to wake up.”
Musk, a vocal ally of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, has frequently waded into European politics, earning rebukes for his attacks on leaders such as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Critics accuse the billionaire of leveraging his wealth and influence to support far-right ideologies across the globe.
This latest intervention underscores growing concerns about Musk’s political involvement, particularly in Europe, where tensions over his support for populist and far-right movements continue to escalate. As AfD prepares for the upcoming elections, Musk’s endorsement adds another layer of complexity to Germany’s political landscape.
