Elon Musk says only the far-right group can save Germany

Elon Musk, America’s richest oligarch, has tweeted his support for the AfD political party and many Germans are unhappy about this fact. Why? It probably has something to do with the AfD’s racism, xenophobia, and Links to neo-Nazis. You know, these are the normal things that Musk finds himself promoting here in 2024 as one of Donald Trump’s senior advisors.

The billionaire said: “Only the Alternative for Germany party can save Germany.” books In the early hours of Friday morning.

Musk’s tweet was promoting another tweet from Naomi Seibt is a German climate change denier who rose to prominence as an anti-Greta Thunberg. Seibt has also promoted conspiracy theories and been accused of anti-Semitism, according to GuardianIt is an allegation he denies.

Germany’s far-right were thrilled by Musk’s tweet, including Alice Weidel, who is running for chancellor as co-leader of the AfD in the upcoming February election, while German Prime Minister Theresa May. Deutsche Welle The news outlet reports.

“Yes! You are absolutely right!” Weidel tweeted to Musk. “Please also take a look at my interview about President Trump, how socialist Merkel destroyed our country, and how the Soviet EU destroyed the economic backbone of the country (sic) and led to dysfunction in Germany!”

Germany’s Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution, the domestic intelligence organization, has listed the AfD as a “suspected terrorist organization,” and at least two German states have officially designated it as such, according to DW.

But many other politicians in Germany were less enthusiastic, pointing to Musk’s meddling in German politics and his notorious lack of intelligence, which often shows up in late-night tweets. Alexander Thrum, a Christian Democratic Union politician, even joked about Musk’s cognitive difficulties while speaking to local media.

“I was a little surprised because we usually hear that Elon Musk is this talented genius, but when I hear these comments, I have to doubt it,” Thrum told DW. “Change can only happen by those who govern. The AfD will not govern. Because no other party will form a government with them.”

Musk’s endorsement has serious implications for Americans as well, given the fact that he appears to be the most powerful political figure in the country at the moment. Musk doubled his net worth this year as the world’s richest person, and helped Donald Trump win the election by spending more than a quarter of a billion dollars on Republican races in the 2024 elections.

Musk, which has a history Racist commentsinsists he only voted Republican First time in 2022, suggesting he only voted Democratic before then. But even if we take him at his word (he lies frequently, such as when he initially denied funding Trump’s presidential campaign), he has still become a force in Republican politics. He is using this power now.

In fact, Musk has promised to run a primary against any Republicans who disagree with him, which is no idle threat given the fact that he still runs a political action committee called America PAC. Musk also funded a group running ads promoting the confirmation of Pete Hegseth as Secretary of Defense. These ads have been credited Apply pressure To Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa who was seen as a potential vote against Hegseth due to her history as a veteran who has spoken publicly about her experiences with sexual violence. Hegseth was charged with Sexual assaultIt is a charge he denies. Ernst now appears to support Hegseth’s assertion.

Musk has also been making waves in the world of legislation even before Trump officially takes office on January 20, 2025. The US House of Representatives is currently trying to pass funding to keep the government open before a 12:01 a.m. deadline that would shutter many institutions. Government jobs But Musk is credited with introducing two bills introduced Thursday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson is said to be working on another version of the funding bill that is supposed to be voted on Friday. But everyone is watching Musk’s X account, where he orders and organizes his army of goofy influencers who lobby politicians. If Musk gives a thumbs up, it’s more likely to pass. If he says no, Trump will likely follow suit and we will find ourselves in a government shutdown in the middle of the busy holiday travel season.

We live under a very transparent oligarchy at this point. Musk’s promotion of a far-right party like the AfD is not a great sign of what lies ahead.