Elon Musk’s discussion with Alice Weidel, leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD), has sparked significant controversy and prompted investigations by both German and EU authorities.

Musk Calls Weidel “Germany’s Leading Candidate”

Musk sparked outrage when he called Weidel “Germany’s leading candidate” on his platform X. This surprised many, as the AfD holds only 16% support, far behind the CDU and the Greens. Musk’s statement raised concerns, given the AfD’s relatively low polling numbers

Disagreements on Energy and Migration

Weidel criticized Merkel’s nuclear phase-out, saying Germany shouldn’t rely solely on renewable energy. Musk agreed, supporting a balanced mix of nuclear, fossil fuels, and renewables.
On migration, Weidel claimed that 57% of asylum seekers discard their passports, a statement that has not been verified. Musk didn’t challenge her, further fueling the controversy.

AfD’s Extremist Ties Under Scrutiny

Weidel tried to distance the AfD from far-right extremism, calling Hitler a “socialist,” which drew backlash. Despite this, the AfD faces ongoing criticism for its extremist ties. Björn Höcke, a prominent AfD member, was convicted for using Nazi slogans. Additionally, Germany’s intelligence services classify the party’s youth wing as extremist.

Investigations by German and EU Authorities

The European Commission is investigating whether Musk violated the Digital Services Act by amplifying hate speech or misinformation. German authorities are looking into whether Musk’s praise of the AfD constitutes illegal campaign support. Non-EU entities are prohibited from influencing German elections.
The German watchdog group Lobby Control has raised concerns that Musk’s endorsement could be political advertising. While the impact of Musk’s comments on the February elections remains unclear, the AfD currently holds 19% support.

These investigations could have significant consequences for Musk’s role in European politics and for the AfD in the 2024 German elections.