Elon Musk's Support of AfD Sparks Debate Amid German Political Campaign
The tech magnate endorses Germany's far-right AfD during a live event on X, fueling controversy and raising questions about political influence.
In a live conversation on his social media platform X, Elon Musk praised Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany's far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD).
He reiterated a controversial stance that "only the AfD can save Germany," sparking criticism amidst accusations of interference in Germany’s political landscape ahead of the 23 February elections.
Musk's virtual engagement with Weidel comes at a time when the US billionaire faces scrutiny for his outspoken support of far-right, anti-establishment parties across Europe.
The conversation, which lasted nearly 75 minutes, touched upon a variety of topics such as energy policy, education, and immigration, showcasing a mutual agreement on several contentious issues, including curbing German bureaucracy and illegal immigration.
Musk mispronounced Weidel's name as "Weedel" throughout the discussion, which also veered into philosophical territory, covering subjects like Douglas Adams, Schopenhauer, and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Both Musk and Weidel criticized so-called "woke" views and aligned on the need to conclude the war in Ukraine, with Musk asserting that "President Trump is going to solve that conflict very quickly." However, when prompted on specifics, Musk seemed uncertain, deferring to Trump's leadership.
The discussion provoked considerable backlash, with Germany's political observers wary of Musk's influence.
His previous endorsements of the AfD, a party classified by German intelligence as right-wing extremist, have drawn the ire of many, including Germany's president and chancellor.
Musk described President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as a "tyrant" for criticizing the AfD and called for Chancellor Olaf Scholz to resign following a deadly incident at a Christmas market in Magdeburg.
Adding to the controversy, Musk recently penned an op-ed in Welt am Sonntag, defending the AfD's politics and challenging the label of "far right." Analysts suggest that Musk’s endorsement could bolster the AfD's standing in the polls, where they currently trail only the conservative CDU/CSU.
Preceding the talk, speculation surfaced around potential violations of the European Commission's Digital Services Act (DSA).
While a DSA spokesperson clarified there were no objections to the discussion per se, concerns remained over possible bias on the platform.
The watchdog LobbyControl also raised questions about compliance with German campaign finance regulations, describing the talk as potential political advertising.
The incident has prompted Germany's federal network agency to monitor X for algorithmic manipulations related to the event, with plans to share findings with the DSA.
Despite the uproar, Weidel's representatives maintained that the conversation was within the bounds of free expression and not a choreographed political maneuver.
As tensions surrounding foreign influence in Germany's political affairs escalate, the discourse between Musk and Weidel remains a focal point of debate, highlighting the complexities of social media’s role in modern election campaigns.
He reiterated a controversial stance that "only the AfD can save Germany," sparking criticism amidst accusations of interference in Germany’s political landscape ahead of the 23 February elections.
Musk's virtual engagement with Weidel comes at a time when the US billionaire faces scrutiny for his outspoken support of far-right, anti-establishment parties across Europe.
The conversation, which lasted nearly 75 minutes, touched upon a variety of topics such as energy policy, education, and immigration, showcasing a mutual agreement on several contentious issues, including curbing German bureaucracy and illegal immigration.
Musk mispronounced Weidel's name as "Weedel" throughout the discussion, which also veered into philosophical territory, covering subjects like Douglas Adams, Schopenhauer, and the Israel-Palestine conflict.
Both Musk and Weidel criticized so-called "woke" views and aligned on the need to conclude the war in Ukraine, with Musk asserting that "President Trump is going to solve that conflict very quickly." However, when prompted on specifics, Musk seemed uncertain, deferring to Trump's leadership.
The discussion provoked considerable backlash, with Germany's political observers wary of Musk's influence.
His previous endorsements of the AfD, a party classified by German intelligence as right-wing extremist, have drawn the ire of many, including Germany's president and chancellor.
Musk described President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as a "tyrant" for criticizing the AfD and called for Chancellor Olaf Scholz to resign following a deadly incident at a Christmas market in Magdeburg.
Adding to the controversy, Musk recently penned an op-ed in Welt am Sonntag, defending the AfD's politics and challenging the label of "far right." Analysts suggest that Musk’s endorsement could bolster the AfD's standing in the polls, where they currently trail only the conservative CDU/CSU.
Preceding the talk, speculation surfaced around potential violations of the European Commission's Digital Services Act (DSA).
While a DSA spokesperson clarified there were no objections to the discussion per se, concerns remained over possible bias on the platform.
The watchdog LobbyControl also raised questions about compliance with German campaign finance regulations, describing the talk as potential political advertising.
The incident has prompted Germany's federal network agency to monitor X for algorithmic manipulations related to the event, with plans to share findings with the DSA.
Despite the uproar, Weidel's representatives maintained that the conversation was within the bounds of free expression and not a choreographed political maneuver.
As tensions surrounding foreign influence in Germany's political affairs escalate, the discourse between Musk and Weidel remains a focal point of debate, highlighting the complexities of social media’s role in modern election campaigns.
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