Quick Summary:
• Elon Musk endorsed Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, widely recognized as a neo-Nazi organization, in its upcoming elections, stating, “Only the AfD can save Germany.”
• The endorsement follows a history of Musk supporting far-right figures globally, including Italy’s Giorgia Meloni and the UK’s Nigel Farage.
• Senator Bernie Sanders criticized Musk as an “authoritarian oligarch,” highlighting his influence in blocking a bipartisan U.S. spending bill and undermining democratic processes.
• AfD has a history of antisemitism, Holocaust denial, and anti-immigration policies, with its leaders downplaying Nazi crimes and calling for stricter controls on immigration.
• Musk’s financial backing of far-right movements and political figures raises concerns about the role of billionaires in shaping global politics and normalizing extremist ideologies.
• Critics, including U.S. Senator Chris Murphy, labeled Musk’s endorsement as “enthusiastically supporting a neo-Nazi party,” amplifying concerns about his growing political influence.
• AfD is polling second in Germany’s upcoming elections, amid broader global trends of rising far-right populism and nationalist movements.
Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and X (formerly Twitter), is facing sharp criticism after endorsing Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in its upcoming February elections. Musk’s statement came just hours after Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) publicly condemned Musk’s growing influence in U.S. politics, describing him as an “authoritarian oligarch” undermining democracy.
The AfD is widely recognized as Germany’s neo-Nazi party, known for its antisemitic, anti-immigrant rhetoric and calls to downplay Nazi history. Musk’s endorsement, delivered to his 200 million followers on X, has drawn condemnation from political leaders, commentators, and human rights advocates around the globe.
Musk’s post on X declared, “Only the AfD can save Germany,” aligning him with one of Europe’s most controversial political parties. The AfD has a long history of extremist views, including Holocaust denial and racist policies targeting immigrants, particularly Muslims. Leaders of the party have openly called for rewriting Germany’s Nazi history, with one leader describing it as “just a speck of bird’s muck.”
Musk’s endorsement accompanied a shared post from far-right influencer Naomi Seibt, a climate change denier with documented ties to white nationalist ideologies. This is not Musk’s first foray into supporting far-right leaders; he has previously endorsed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, UK Reform Party leader Nigel Farage, and Argentina’s far-right President Javier Milei.
Critics argue that Musk’s endorsement further legitimizes extremist ideologies on a global scale. U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) condemned Musk, saying, “Musk enthusiastically supports the neo-Nazi party in Germany.” Political commentator Patrick S. Tomlinson described Musk’s statement as “fully mask off,” highlighting the AfD’s ties to authoritarianism and antisemitism.
The AfD is currently polling in second place ahead of Germany’s February elections, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s left-wing coalition in November. Despite their rising popularity, most mainstream German parties have refused to form coalitions with the AfD due to its extremist platform.
The AfD’s policies include calls for a “net zero” immigration policy, a rollback of climate initiatives, and closer ties to Russia, including opposition to sanctions and military aid for Ukraine. Their platform has drawn parallels to other far-right movements in Europe and the United States.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed Musk’s claims, emphasizing the AfD’s extremism and Germany’s commitment to democratic values. Scholz’s dismissal came shortly after Musk criticized him on X, writing, “Scholz should resign immediately. Incompetent fool.”
Musk’s endorsement of AfD came on the same day that Sanders criticized him for his role in influencing U.S. politics. Musk and former President Donald Trump have publicly urged Republican lawmakers to oppose bipartisan spending bills, with Musk threatening to primary any GOP member who does not comply.
“Elon Musk, the richest man in the world, is threatening to unseat elected officials if they do not follow his orders to shut down the government during the holidays,” Sanders said in a post. “Are we still a democracy or have we already moved to oligarchy and authoritarianism?”
Musk’s influence within the Republican Party is so strong that some members have floated the idea of replacing House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) with Musk himself. Musk’s sway in both domestic and international politics has led to concerns about the growing role of billionaires in undermining democratic institutions.
Musk’s endorsement of AfD also reveals contradictions in his economic interests. While Tesla has a factory in Brandenburg, Germany, employing thousands, the AfD has criticized the plant for allegedly providing limited benefits to the local economy. The party’s broader opposition to electric vehicles and climate initiatives directly conflicts with Tesla’s business model.
Tesla’s stock has surged 75% since Trump’s election in 2024, raising questions about Musk’s financial motivations for supporting far-right figures globally. Critics argue that Musk’s alignment with anti-climate, nationalist leaders undermines Tesla’s public-facing mission of environmental innovation.
Musk’s endorsement of AfD is part of a larger pattern of far-right populism gaining ground worldwide. In Europe, far-right parties in Austria, Finland, and the Netherlands have seen significant electoral success, often campaigning on platforms of nationalism, anti-immigration, and climate denialism. Many of these parties have drawn inspiration from Trump’s presidency, which Musk has heavily financed with $277 million in donations.
Commentators warn that Musk’s support for extremist movements not only amplifies their reach but also normalizes ideologies that threaten democratic values. Economist Paul Krugman described Musk’s behavior as a transparent embrace of fascist sentiments, noting that “Musk isn’t hiding it at all.”
The backlash against Musk’s endorsement has been swift and widespread. Human rights advocates have condemned his platforming of far-right ideologies, while political leaders in the U.S. and Germany have called for greater accountability for billionaires using their wealth and influence to shape global politics.
Senator Chris Murphy said Musk’s actions demonstrate the dangers of “an out-of-touch billionaire running the incoming Trump administration” and endorsing neo-Nazi ideologies abroad. Many critics argue that Musk’s behavior underscores the need for reforms to limit the political influence of billionaires.
As Sanders noted, “Are we still a democracy or have we already moved to oligarchy and authoritarianism?” The question looms large as Musk’s actions continue to reshape the political landscape.
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