Elon Musk's recent political commentary has drawn sharp criticism from German officials amid heightened electoral tensions.
According to Fox News, German government officials have formally accused Tesla founder Elon Musk of attempting to influence the country's upcoming parliamentary elections by endorsing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
The controversy emerged after Musk publicly endorsed the AfD through social media posts and a weekend opinion piece, praising the party's economic policies while defending it against accusations of extremism. His endorsement comes at a crucial time, with Germany preparing for snap parliamentary elections in February 2024.
German government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann directly addressed Musk's actions during a Monday press briefing, acknowledging the billionaire's right to express opinions while questioning his motives. The government's response highlighted concerns about foreign interference in domestic politics, particularly given the AfD's controversial status within Germany.
German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach condemned Musk's involvement, describing it as problematic and inappropriate. The criticism reflects broader concerns about the potential impact of influential foreign figures on German democratic processes.
Hoffman specifically emphasized the gravity of Musk's endorsement, noting that the AfD is currently under surveillance by domestic intelligence services. As stated by Hoffman:
It is a recommendation to vote for a party that is being monitored [by domestic intelligence] on suspicion of being right-wing extremist, which has already been recognized as partly right-wing extremist.
The Tesla CEO has maintained his position through multiple channels, including his social media platform X and an op-ed in the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. His criticism extended to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whom he labeled as a "fool."
In his published opinion piece, Musk portrayed the AfD as Germany's last hope, criticizing traditional parties for what he perceives as economic mismanagement. His stance triggered significant backlash, including the resignation of Welt am Sonntag's opinion editor, Eva Marie Kogel.
Musk defended the AfD against extremism allegations, pointing to party co-chair Alice Weidel's personal life. He wrote in his op-ed:
The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party's leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!
The situation has attracted attention from both U.S. and German lawmakers, who have expressed alarm over potential foreign interference in German electoral processes. The AfD's position as a party under surveillance has intensified these concerns.
Mainstream German political parties have maintained their distance from the AfD, particularly after Germany's domestic intelligence agency designated its youth wing as a "confirmed extremist" group earlier this year. This designation adds weight to the criticism of Musk's endorsement.
Elon Musk's endorsement of the AfD party has created diplomatic tensions between German officials and the Tesla CEO as Germany approaches its February parliamentary elections. The controversy centers on Musk's public support for a party under domestic intelligence surveillance, expressed through social media posts and a newspaper op-ed. German government officials have formally accused him of election interference while maintaining that such actions, though concerning, fall within the bounds of free speech.
