Elon Musk Expresses Belief That Extreme Right-Wing Faction Mightbe the Savior of Germany
Elon Musk, the richest tycoon of America, voiced his support for Germany's AfD political party through a tweet, sparking discontent among many Germans. The disapproval stems from AfD's infamous ties to neo-Nazis, racial discrimination, and xenophobia. Musk's political endorsements in 2024, serving as Trump's advisor, have been questionable to say the least.
"Only AfD can save Germany" was Musk's tweet during the early hours of Friday.
Musk's tweet also promoted Naomi Seibt, a German climate change skeptic who gained notoriety as an anti-Greta Thunberg figurehead. Seibt is also known for propagating conspiracies and facing allegations of antisemitism, according to the Guardian, an accusation she rebuts.
The German far-right celebrated Musk's tweet, including Alice Weidel, the AfD's chancellor candidate running for the position in the forthcoming February elections, as reported by DW.
Germany's Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, its intelligence agency, has classified AfD as a "potential terrorist organization," and at least two German states have provided it with a similar designation, as per DW.
However, many other German politicians were less than thrilled with Musk's intervention in their country's politics and his undeniable intellectual limitations, often proven by his late-night Twitter rants. Alexander Throm, a representative from the Christian Democratic Union political party, even joked about Musk's alleged cognitive limitations during an interview with local media.
"I was a bit surprised, as typically we hear Musk is a brilliant genius. But when I hear such comments, I start to doubt it," Throm told DW. "Authentic change can only be brought about by those in power. And the AfD will never gain power. No other party will collaborate with them."
Musk's endorsement has significant repercussions for Americans, considering his current influence in the country. Musk has exponentially increased his net worth this year, placing him at the helm of the wealthiest individuals globally. Musk played a crucial role in Trump's election in 2024, spending over a quarter of a billion dollars on Republican campaigns.
Musk, who has a history of racist remarks, defends his political choices by claiming he voted for the Republican party for the first time in 2022. However, his credibility is questionable, given his frequent lies, such as when he initially denied funding Trump's presidential campaign. Regardless, he has become a significant force in Republican politics and is now employing that power.
Musk has also threatened primaries against any Republicans who cross him, a threat that carries weight when considering his political action committee, America PAC. He has also been supporting a group promoting Pete Hegseth's confirmation as Secretary of Defense, which has allegedly put pressure on Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa, who was previously seen as a possible opponent to Hegseth based on her past experiences and public statements regarding sexual violence. Hegseth has been accused of sexual assault, an accusation he refutes.
Musk's influence in legislation has already made waves, even before Trump formally takes power on January 20, 2025. The U.S. House is currently attempting to secure funding to keep the government operational beyond a midnight deadline that would result in several governmental functions being shut down. However, Musk has reportedly impeded two proposed bills presented on Thursday.
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson is working on a revised funding bill set for a vote on Friday, but everyone is monitoring Musk's X account, where he provides orders and directs his massive following of social media influencers to pressure politicians. If Musk approves, the bill is likely to pass. If not, there's a strong chance of a government shutdown taking place during the bustling holiday travel season.
It appears that we live in a highly transparent oligarchy at present. And while Musk promoting a far-right party, such as AfD, may not be the best omen for the future.
Musk's support for the AfD's political agenda in Germany, as displayed in his tweets, raises questions about his future involvement in technology and innovation, given the party's controversial stance on various social issues.
In light of Musk's controversial political endorsements and allegations of racist remarks, there is growing concern about his influence on the tech industry and its future developments, particularly in promoting controversial figures and ideas.
