A German government spokesperson said on Monday that US billionaire Elon Musk, one of the richest people in the world, is attempting to influence the country’s upcoming elections, which are set for February.
Musk sparked controversy after expressing support for Germany’s far-right party in a major newspaper ahead of the critical parliamentary elections.
“It is indeed the case that Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal election,” the spokesperson said.
The spokesperson added that while Musk is entitled to express his opinion, “After all, freedom of opinion also covers the greatest nonsense.”
Recently, Musk announced his support for the AfD, a far-right party.
Response from Elon Musk
The commentary published in German in the Welt am Sonntag newspaper, a flagship of the Axel Springer media group, elaborated on a post by Elon Musk on the social media platform X last week, where he wrote that “only the AfD can save Germany.”
“The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last spark of hope for this country,” Musk wrote in his translated commentary. He continued by stating that the far-right party “can lead the country into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity, and technological innovation are not just wishes, but reality.”
The Tesla CEO also argued that his investment in Germany granted him the right to comment on the country’s condition. He added, “The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party’s leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!”
Musk’s commentary has sparked a debate in German media about the limits of free speech.
Known for his polarizing views on various subjects, Musk had previously supported Donald Trump’s presidential bid and also helped fund the Trump campaign. After Trump’s victory, several poll pundits credited Musk with helping drum up popular support for the businessman-turned-politician.
