Elon Musk made a virtual appearance at a rally for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party on Saturday, delivering a speech that has sparked significant controversy. Addressing a crowd of approximately 4,500 attendees ahead of Germany’s snap election scheduled for February 23, Musk voiced his support for the party and emphasized the need for Germany to “move on” from “past guilt,” a comment that many interpreted as a reference to the country’s Nazi history.
The Tesla and SpaceX CEO appeared alongside Alice Weidel, the leader of the AfD, and praised the party as the “best hope for Germany.” In his remarks, Musk underscored themes of nationalism, cultural preservation, and what he described as protecting German identity, stating, “It’s good to be proud of German culture, German values, and not to lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything.” His comments were met with enthusiastic cheers from the crowd, highlighting the party’s staunchly conservative and nationalist base.
Musk’s speech included a controversial remark suggesting that younger generations of Germans should not feel burdened by their country’s historical actions. “Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great-grandparents,” Musk said. The comment appeared to echo a broader trend of discourse within the AfD, which often argues against Germany’s long-standing focus on historical accountability for the atrocities of World War II.
The event further deepened the uproar caused by Musk’s initial endorsement of the AfD in January, a move that has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders and commentators across Europe. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz issued a statement condemning Musk’s association with the far-right, saying, “The endorsement of extremist ideologies by influential figures such as Elon Musk endangers the foundations of European democracy.” Musk’s involvement in the political sphere has also raised eyebrows internationally, as he has recently expressed support for far-right leaders across Europe, including Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Reform UK Party leader Nigel Farage. Notably, Musk later reversed his support for Farage, stating that the British politician “doesn’t have what it takes.”
Criticism of Musk reached new heights following his significant financial involvement in the 2024 U.S. election cycle, where he spent over $250 million to support Donald Trump’s successful re-election campaign. Musk was subsequently rewarded with a prominent role in the Trump administration, leading the newly established Department of Government Efficiency. During Trump’s inauguration festivities, Musk stirred further controversy by making a gesture that critics likened to the Nazi “Sieg Heil” salute. In response to the backlash, Musk dismissed the criticism, claiming it was “radical leftists” who were upset and sarcastically suggesting that his detractors “needed to take time out of their busy day praising Hamas to call me a Nazi.” Musk doubled down on his remarks with a series of Nazi-themed puns on social media, drawing even more condemnation.
The rally also featured a joint appearance by Musk and Weidel on Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), earlier in the month. The two engaged in an informal and wide-ranging conversation on topics including space exploration, God, and Adolf Hitler. During the discussion, Musk asked Weidel to address allegations linking the AfD to Nazi ideology. Weidel responded by characterizing Adolf Hitler as a “communist socialist guy” and asserting that the AfD represents “exactly the opposite.” Her comments reflected the party’s ongoing efforts to distance itself from its controversial far-right image while maintaining a nationalist agenda.
At the rally, Weidel expressed gratitude to Musk for his outspoken support, proclaiming, “Make Germany great again!”—a slogan reminiscent of Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric in the United States. Weidel’s words further solidified the alignment between the AfD and global far-right movements, as Musk’s endorsement continues to lend international visibility to the party.
The broader implications of Musk’s involvement in European politics have become a major topic of debate. While some view his endorsement of the AfD as a dangerous normalization of far-right ideologies, others see it as an extension of Musk’s unorthodox and often polarizing approach to global influence. As the February election approaches, the Tesla CEO’s support for the AfD will likely remain a focal point of discussion, not only within Germany but across the global political landscape.