The German government accused US billionaire Elon Musk on Monday of attempting to influence the country’s upcoming election in February by promoting articles that support the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, despite dismissing them as “nonsense.”
Musk, who is expected to serve as an outside adviser to Donald Trump’s new administration, endorsed the AfD as Germany’s “last hope” in an opinion piece for the Welt am Sonntag newspaper, which led to the resignation of the publication’s commentary editor in protest.
A German government spokesperson stated, “It is indeed the case that Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal election” through his X posts and the opinion piece. The spokesperson also emphasized that Musk is entitled to his opinion, acknowledging that “freedom of opinion also covers the greatest nonsense.”
Musk, the world’s richest person, defended his right to comment on German politics, citing his “significant investments” in the country. He has praised the AfD’s stance on regulation, taxes, and market deregulation.
Musk’s intervention comes ahead of Germany’s parliamentary elections on February 23, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government. Musk also called for Scholz’s resignation after a car drove into a crowd at a Christmas market on December 20, killing five people.
