Germany Defence Ministry, National Army Suspend Accounts On Elon Musk's X: Here's The Reason Why
Musk’s controversial activities on X have further escalated tensions. He expressed support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has drawn criticism for its divisive rhetoric.
Germany’s Defence Ministry and the national army, the Bundeswehr, have officially suspended their accounts on Elon Musk-owned social media platform X (formerly Twitter). The decision, attributed to the platform's inability to facilitate balanced and factual discussions, has sparked debates across German government circles about whether other institutions should also consider disengaging.
This development comes amid a larger exodus from the platform by prominent German organisations. Just last week, over 60 universities and research institutions announced their departure, citing growing radicalisation and an environment they deem increasingly hostile to constructive debate.
Musk's Actions Drew Ire
Musk’s controversial activities on X have further escalated tensions. In recent months, he openly expressed support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, which has drawn criticism for its divisive rhetoric. Musk even described German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, a centre-left politician, as a “fool” while promoting the AfD as the only party capable of “saving” the country.
The situation reached a tipping point after Musk hosted a live conversation on X with Alice Weidel, the AfD’s candidate for chancellor, ahead of Germany’s snap election on February 23. The Defence Ministry, under the leadership of Scholz’s ally Boris Pistorius, deemed the platform’s environment unsuitable for maintaining objective and balanced discussions.
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The Bundeswehr and the Defence Ministry’s departure from X underscores the growing concerns among public institutions about the platform’s direction under Musk’s ownership. While these organisations had initially used X to engage with citizens and communicate updates, the deteriorating quality of discourse and the amplification of extreme views have prompted a reevaluation of its value.
This decision has triggered broader discussions within Germany about the role of public institutions on social media platforms that fail to uphold standards of responsible communication. As debates continue, more organisations may follow suit, reflecting a significant shift in the digital engagement strategies of German institutions.
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