Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, openly endorsed Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party during a live chat with its leader, Alice Weidel, on Thursday. The 74-minute conversation, hosted on Musk’s X platform, covered topics ranging from energy policy, German bureaucracy, and Adolf Hitler to Mars and the meaning of life.  


In what marks his latest controversial foray into European politics, Musk unequivocally urged Germans to support the AfD in the forthcoming snap federal election scheduled for 23 February. Musk's "strong recommendation" follows accusations of him meddling in Germany’s political landscape. “Only AfD can save Germany. End of story,” he remarked.


The X chief praised Weidel as the "leading candidate to run Germany," justifying his endorsement by pointing to his significant investments in the country, including a Tesla plant near Berlin.  


The discussion, conducted in English, also served as an international platform for the AfD to present its ideology. Weidel described her party as "conservative" and "libertarian," claiming it has been "negatively framed" by mainstream media as extremist. However, sections of the AfD are officially classified as right-wing extremist by German authorities.






A BBC News investigation last year revealed connections between some party figures and far-right networks. One prominent member, Björn Höcke, was fined for using a banned Nazi phrase, though he denied doing so knowingly.  


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Alice Weidel Calls Adolf Hitler ‘Communist, Antisemitic Socialist’


Weidel made contentious remarks during the discussion, labelling Adolf Hitler as a "communist" and an "antisemitic socialist." She stated, "He wasn’t a conservative. He wasn’t a libertarian. He was this communist, socialist guy. We are exactly the opposite," despite Hitler’s historical stance as an anti-communist who invaded the Soviet Union.  


"Adolf Hitler played with the envy of the people...He enforced the envy against the Jews," she stated accusing the Left of that period being antisemitic.


The conversation also delved into lighter topics, with Musk and Weidel bonding over their criticism of Germany’s bureaucracy, its abandonment of nuclear power, and "wokeness."


Weidel expressed support for US President-elect Donald Trump during the chat, aligning with Musk’s known ties to the former US president.


According to BBC, the AfD, which opposes Berlin’s military aid to Ukraine, is currently polling second in Germany. However, its potential to form a government remains unlikely, as other parties refuse to collaborate with it.  


During the conversation, Weidel also asked Musk if he believed in God. The billionaire responded that he was "open to the idea" and aimed to "understand the universe as much as possible."  


German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, whom Musk previously labelled a "fool," had downplayed Musk’s criticism, insisting he was "staying cool." Scholz’s chances of retaining the chancellery appear slim as the election approaches. 


The live chat has intensified debates around Musk’s involvement in European politics, with his endorsement of the AfD drawing sharp reactions and causing concern over undue influence impacting poll results.