Elon Musk insults German politicians

SOURCE: DW- AUTHOR: M.J. GDNUS

The "hot" phase of the election campaign has begun in Germany - the elections for the new Bundestag are held on February 23. The right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD), in which the German Federal Security Service sees extremist elements, can count on the support of a famous figure - Elon Musk. This close friend of Donald Trump has been openly supporting the Alternative for Germany party for a few days now, and in addition, he provokes and attacks both the president and the chancellor of Germany.

President Steinmeier sees a "danger to democracy"

On the last day of the old year, on the X platform, Musk called German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier (SPD) an "undemocratic tyrant" with the addition - "shame on him".

On December 27, in a speech to dissolve the Bundestag, Steinmeier warned of the danger of manipulating elections in Germany: “External influence is a danger to democracy – whether it is hidden, as recently in the elections in Romania, or open and unabashed, as is now being done intensively on the X platform.”

After the collapse of the ruling coalition on November 6, Musk also attacked German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) on that platform, writing in German: “Olaf is a fool.”

And in the magazine Welt am Sonntag, the billionaire once again called for a vote for the AfD. He wrote that the Alternative for Germany could prevent Germany from becoming a shadow of itself: “Germany has been content with mediocrity – it is time for bold changes and the AfD is the only party that can open that way.”

According to Musk, the AfD is “the only spark of hope for a country” teetering on the “edge of economic and cultural collapse”; Only this party can revive the German economy and prevent the loss of identity by introducing a “controlled immigration policy”. “To those who condemn the AfD as right-wing extremist, I say: don’t let the label that is attached to it distract you”. He pointed out that the AfD co-chair has a life partner from Sri Lanka: “Does that sound like Hitler to you? Go ahead!”

Communication between Musk and Alice Weidel

Now Musk’s campaign support for the AfD could become even more concrete. Because, their spokesmen say, the two are planning to meet on a television show. “Information is already being exchanged about this via Xspace, a virtual space on X for live broadcasts.

The German presidential office reacted to Musk’s attacks on Steinmeier with extreme restraint. They say that they have taken note of Musk’s comment – ​​and that’s all. The German government has also acted in the same way.

Demand for legal action against fake news

The ruling Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) reacted all the more clearly. “It can’t be like this,” wrote SPD leader Lars Klingbeil on Instagram. According to him, Musk repeatedly “uses his influence to influence the course of world politics.” He also called on the European Commission to oppose this.

Klingbeil: “We need legal instruments against fake news, and also to break the power of individuals. That’s why we in Europe have to stand up.” Regarding Musk’s article in Welt am Sonntag, Klingbeil believes that Musk wants to “plunge Germany into chaos.” “Elon Musk is trying to do nothing different than what Vladimir Putin is doing. Both want to influence our elections and are specifically supporting the enemies of democracy in the AfD.”

SPD parliamentary group leader Rolf Micenih told Der Spiegel magazine that it should also be clarified “whether this disrespectful expression, slander and interference in the election campaign is something that is being done in the name of the new US government.” Micenih accused Musk of crossing “the line between friendly countries.”

SPD co-chairwoman Saskia Esken told Reuters news agency that Musk's statements were "levelless attacks" on the chancellor and president: "They are an unworthy crossing of the line and show a lack of respect for our democracy. Elon Musk disqualifies himself with every subsequent article."

CDU leader Friedrich Merz spoke of Musk's "aggressive" behavior, while Economy Minister Robert Habek (Greens) said Musk's attacks had a "logic and system" and were aimed at weakening the EU.

Maskou's article in Die Welt also alarmed the German Journalists' Association DJV. The organization's president, Mika Beuyster, warned all editorial offices not to allow themselves to be instrumentalized in the election campaign and to be cautious with texts written by external authors. "The German media must not be misused as megaphones for autocrats and their friends."

CDU chancellor candidate Merz said: "I cannot remember that in the history of Western democracy we have had such a case of interference in election campaign of a friendly country.”

A possible strategy for Elon Musk

The richest man in the world probably has his own economic interests in mind first and foremost. In his article for Welt am Sonntag, he praised the AfD for its plans the party for “reducing excessive state regulation, lowering taxes and deregulating the market”. This would benefit, among other things, his Tesla plant in Brandenburg – the first factory of an American electric car manufacturer in Europe.

But Musk, with his 200 million followers worldwide, also pursues a global political agenda aimed at supporting right-wing forces. He is said to have offered British right-wing populist Nigel Farage €95 million in donations for his party.

Musk also maintains close contact with Italian Prime Minister Giorgi Meloni and her Brothers of Italy party. Regarding a court ruling that the government should not be allowed to resettle migrants in Albania, he wrote on X: “Those judges must go.”