Why has Musk's op-ed endorsing Germany's far-right AfD party drawn Berlin's ire? | DW News

US billionaire Elon Musk has riled politicians in Germany by voicing his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of parliamentary elections in February. In an opinion piece published in the conservative ‘Welt am Sonntag’ newspaper, Musk called the AFD the "last spark of hope for this country.” Governing politicians and opposition leaders are calling his comments election. Musk’s op-ed is fueling a debate in Germany about free speech in the media. The opinion editor of the newspaper ‘Die Welt’ resigned after the opinion piece was published.

#elonmusk #afd #germany

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[stompysnake]

American citizens speaking well of german parties is interference, but German citizens/newspapers criticizing Trump before the US election is not interference. Ok.

[josezerpa]

I’m going to download this interview and watch it in March 2025 to see how it has aged .

[rohitn]

If Obama endorses a political party in other counties (for example Canada) then there is no issue but if a Conservative does the same then there is ssue.

[hansmarheim]

As long as the AfD still is a legal party in Germany he just exercise his freedom of speech. I will defend that. If we gag free speech democracy is lost.

[testaccount]

I don't support AFD but find it hypocritical since most European leaders, news channels and experts wanted Trump to lose. Europe has an opinion or interferes in other democracies constantly

[martytube]

The hypocrisy is crazy on the channel!

[tashanmann]

Trump can say the same of UK's Starmer, Sadiq Khan and Canada's Trudeau's endorsement of Kamala Harris...such cry babies.

[ManuelGonzalez-sevz]

It’s called freedom of speech. Remember when you were Western?

[hiten]

So when u call Modi a Fascist isn't that election Interference? Stop interfering on others and they will stop interfering on yours... Haha!! I hope the AFD wins big

[lt]

If what he said is election meddling then shouldn't this channel keep its trap shut on Brexit and all manner of other nations business? Or is it only election meddling when the Right does it?

[sharonstone-bhzp]

I guess one could ask why England's labour party sent volunteers to the US in order to assist Biden's campaign, or why so many European leaders made a point of bashing Trump before his election? Seems objections are raised only if it negatively effects the left, but not the right. Also there is the question of free speech.

[Hongkongnyc]

Why is writing and sharing one's opinion "election interference"?

[natarajkoduvayurrajappa]

Why is EU talking about elections in non EU countries???what goes around comes around....

[joem]

He has big investments in Germany. He has every right to voice his opinions.

[beckyumphrey]

Elon getting involved is like DW bashing Trump!!!!

[ragnarruckus]

Are you against: record high energy costs, unsafe streets, the flight of capital and skilled labor out of the country? Then you must be “far right”

[AaronKaewprapai-qvbc]

LOL. Like Romania, Moldova and Germany, if you cannot win, blame foreign agent meddling.

[JeDxDeVu]

Billionaire who invests billions in this country can’t voice his opinion but you guys can? 😂😂😂. Commi logic

[whiteeyedshrk]

Rather he is right or wrong, I dont think he has any place in german politics.

[TTre]

Musk is playing economics based politics. His aims:

1. He knows he/Tesla had lost a lot of potential clients with liberal views after he supported Trump. This is true for EU other democratic regions. He is also facing competition in EU from German carmakers, for example BMW sold more cars in Europe than Tesla for the past quarters of 2024.
2. He knows he lost those clients for good so he is trying to win the other flank, which is the growing right wing. For example AFD supporters in Germany. By aligning himself with AFD supporters he hopes they will buy his cars.
3. He would love for AFD to win, because he wants bad image for Germany. If AFD wins, this will have negative effect on Germany, especially in the view of democratic world. This aspect could sway potential customers across the democratic countries to buying Tesla cars instead of German cars bringing him back the customers he lost by supporting Trump.

So if you are AFD fan, think twice about buying Teslas, rather support your own car makers, because Musk is just manipulating you. And if you are for Democracy and stong Germany, then the choice is clear - avoid Musk, Tesla and the AFD altogether.

Another issue is that Musk is just making and advertisement for himself and his cult by propagating these "radical views". The media is constantly falling for this trick making even more content about him and AFD. Just look at the hashtags on this video ... why DW?