Germany accuses Elon Musk of trying to interfere in its national elections

German officials accused Elon Musk of meddling in the nation's upcoming parliamentary elections, citing his recent public support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Musk has praised AfD as the best choice for fostering fiscal responsibility and economic innovation in Ge

Government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann criticized Musk's actions as an attempt to sway German voters, particularly given their proximity to February’s snap elections. While Hoffmann acknowledged Musk’s right to express opinions, she remarked, "Freedom of speech also covers the greatest nonsense."

Musk's endorsement included a post on X, declaring, “Only the AfD can save Germany,” and an op-ed in the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag,

The endorsement has sparked backlash in Germany and the U.S., with officials emphasizing that AfD is under surveillance for suspected right-wing extremism. German Health Minister Karl Lauterbach called Musk’s intervention “undignified and problematic,” while mainstream German parties have refused to cooperate with the AfD. Earlier this year, the party’s youth wing was officially labeled as extremist.

Musk has dismissed criticism, describing AfD as “the last spark of hope for Germany” in his op-ed. He blamed traditional parties, including the Social Democratic Party (SPD), for economic stagnation, social unrest, and a loss of national identity.

The op-ed’s publication in Welt am Sonntag drew further controversy, leading to the resignation of the newspaper’s opinion editor, Eva Marie Kogel. However, Musk remains undeterred, doubling down on his views about Germany’s political and economic future.