Elon Musk publicly backs a conservative German political group, further involving himself in international political affairs.
Elon Musk, the wealthy Trump associate taking on a public role in the incoming administration, voiced his approval on Friday for Alternative for Germany (AfD), following Germany's government collapse this week.
"The AfD is the only hope for Germany," Musk stated on Friday, sharing a video from right-wing campaigner Naomi Seibt.
The AfD, known for its surge in popularity, promotes populist and anti-immigrant "Germany first" positions. However, the party has also been criticized for reviving Nazi-era beliefs and slogans. In May, a court permitted Germany's domestic intelligence agency to monitor the AfD due to its alleged threat to German democracy, dismissing the party's lawsuit.
Young Alternative (JA), the party's youth wing, has been labeled by German officials as a "confirmed extremist" organization. Earlier this year, its lead candidate in eastern German's Thuringia region, Björn Höcke, was found guilty of violating German laws against publicly sharing Nazi slogans.
Despite its controversial reputation, the AfD gained significant support. It became the first far-right party to win a state election in Germany since the Nazi era, although all main political parties have refused to form a coalition with them, necessitating one to establish a ruling government.
Musk influenced German politics earlier in June, responding to Seibt's video asking why those against the AfD label it "far right," although its policies do not appear extreme. Previously, he labeled German Chancellor Olaf Scholz a "fool" after Scholz's coalition collapsed.
On Friday, Musk continued to discuss the AfD, affirming the party's immigration policy as "reasonable."
Musk also started following AfD leader Alice Weidel after her acknowledgment of his endorsement in a video.
"Alternative for Germany is the only alternative for our country; it's our final resort. I wish you and President Donald Trump the best for the upcoming mandate!" Weidel penned.
Christian Lindner, the head of Germany's Free Democratic Party, also responded to Musk's post, urging him to reconsider his stance:
" whilst immigration control is essential for Germany, the AfD opposes freedom, business, and it's an extremist far-right party," Lindner wrote.
Musk has been expressing support for right-wing platforms in Europe. In early 2022, Musk stirred up anti-immigration riots in the UK, echoing on his social media that "civil war is inevitable" due to the consequences of "mass migration and open borders."
Lately, Farage, the right-wing populist British politician and Trump ally, revealed that Musk was contemplating funding his Reform UK party.
As written in the Telegraph newspaper, after meeting with Musk, Farage stated that Musk was fully behind them and involved in ongoing discussions regarding financial contributions.
The media widely reported Musk's affirmation of the AfD's immigration policy as "reasonable," sparking debates about his influence on German politics. Lindner, the leader of Germany's Free Democratic Party, responded to Musk, emphasizing that while immigration control is important, the AfD opposes freedom and business, labeling it as an extremist far-right party.
