The report

The German political landscape is currently experiencing a seismic shift, with the Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) gaining traction and sparking intense debate. Adding fuel to this fire is the vocal support from none other than tech billionaire Elon Musk. This article will explore Musk’s endorsement of the AfD, the party’s key figures, especially its chancellor candidate, Alice Weidel, and the implications of their upcoming live interview on Musk’s platform, X.

The Rise of AfD and Alice Weidel

The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) is a right-wing populist party that has seen a surge in popularity in recent years. Initially founded in 2013 as a eurosceptic and nationalliberal party, it has since shifted towards more right-wing positions. The party has achieved record results in recent state elections, with support ranging from 18.4% in Hessen to 32.8% in Thuringia. This success has propelled the AfD to nominate Alice Weidel as their candidate for Chancellor in the 2025 federal elections.

Alice Weidel, a 45-year-old economist, is a prominent figure in the AfD. She shares the party’s leadership with Tino Chrupalla. Weidel is also the head of the AfD’s parliamentary group in the Bundestag. She is known for her sharp rhetoric and provocative statements. Despite the AfD’s traditional stance on family values, Weidel’s personal life, which includes a same-sex partnership with a woman from Sri Lanka and two adopted children, is far from the party’s ideal.

Weidel is seen as a powerful force within the AfD. She has been described as intelligent, serious, and focused, but also as “egocentric” and “arrogant” by critics. Some of her supporters praise her “great sense of humor,” while others note her “short fuse”. Weidel’s political style includes a mix of sharp, sometimes contemptuous language when discussing the government and her opponents, while maintaining a composed demeanor. She also emphasizes her commitment to a “future plan for Germany”.

Key Aspects of the AfD Platform

The AfD’s platform is built on several key points, including:

• Economic Policies: The AfD calls for lower taxes, fewer state subsidies, and privatizations, mirroring the policies of Margaret Thatcher, Weidel’s role model. They also advocate for reducing EU contributions and establishing a new European economic and interest community.
• Immigration: The party advocates for strict border controls, limitations on immigration, and a focus on the “traditional” family. Weidel has previously used derogatory terms to describe refugees and Muslim children. The AfD’s stance on immigration is a central theme, calling for a “controlled immigration policy”.
• EU Skepticism: The party aims to reform the EU, and if that fails, allow each country to vote on leaving the EU. They view the EU as an artificial entity and oppose the idea of a unified Europe.
• Energy: The AfD wants to reverse the shutdown of nuclear power plants and to end the ban on combustion engines. They also seek to eliminate CO2 taxes on heating oil, natural gas, gasoline, and diesel.

Elon Musk’s Support for AfD

Tech billionaire Elon Musk has recently become a vocal supporter of the AfD. Musk’s actions include:

• Public Endorsement: Musk has stated that “only the AfD can save Germany” on X. He has also published a guest article in Welt am Sonntag, praising the AfD for its political realism, sensible energy and economic policies, and desire for innovation.
• Critique of the German Government: Musk has criticized German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, calling him an “incompetent fool” after an attack in Magdeburg.
• Challenging the Narrative: Musk disputes the AfD’s image as a right-wing extremist party and argues that they are the only ones willing to challenge the status quo and bring about real change.

There is some speculation that Musk’s pro-AfD article was actually generated by an AI. It is reported that the AI language model, Grok, developed by Musk’s own company xAI, produced a text with striking similarities to Musk’s published piece. This included the same structure, tone, and arguments. Some media outlets and AI experts suspect that Musk’s original piece was indeed AI-generated.

Why Musk Supports the AfD

Musk’s support for the AfD aligns with his libertarian ideology, which emphasizes economic interests and less government control. He views the AfD as a party that can disrupt the current political and economic system in Germany, potentially benefiting his businesses and investments. Musk’s involvement in German politics has been described as an attempt to destabilize the country’s democratic system.

Musk is not alone in his support for the AfD. J.D. Vance, former vice-president to Donald Trump, has also described Musk’s pro-AfD stance as “interesting”. Vance noted that the AfD’s popularity is highest in regions that resisted the Nazis, a claim that lacks supporting evidence.

Musk’s interventions in Germany are not isolated. He has also supported right-wing politicians in other countries, such as Nigel Farage in the UK. Musk seems to cultivate relationships with like-minded leaders worldwide, such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Argentinian President Javier Milei.

The Implications

Musk’s actions are viewed as interference in German elections. The German government has expressed concerns about his attempts to influence the upcoming federal election. Musk’s support for AfD has also sparked debate within the German media.

Musk’s pro-AfD stance has also been criticized by various German politicians. CDU leader Friedrich Merz called Musk’s comments “intrusive and presumptuous”. SPD leader Lars Klingbeil accused Musk of undermining democracy by supporting the AfD, which they see as a threat to democratic institutions. SPD leader Rolf Mützenich also fears that Musk’s actions are harming German-American relations.

Musk’s actions are not without precedent in the US, where media outlets often endorse candidates, but such practices are not typical in German media.

Upcoming Live Interview on X

Adding another layer to this already complex situation, Alice Weidel and Elon Musk are scheduled to have a live discussion on X, Musk’s social media platform, on January 9th. The conversation will take place in an X-space, which is a live audio forum, at 7 p.m.. The topics are expected to revolve around freedom of speech and the AfD’s vision for a better Germany.

This live interview is expected to draw significant attention, given Musk’s public support for the AfD and Weidel’s role as the party’s chancellor candidate. The proposal for the interview came from an X user after Musk published his pro-AfD guest article.

Conclusion

Elon Musk’s support for the AfD is a controversial and significant development in German politics. His public endorsement of the party, coupled with a live interview with Alice Weidel, is sure to further intensify the debate surrounding the AfD and its place in German society.

While the AfD is unlikely to gain the support needed to form a government due to widespread opposition to the party by other parties, they are still a significant political force in Germany. The upcoming live interview will be a pivotal moment for observers of German politics, and a potential turning point in the ongoing narrative surrounding Musk, the AfD, and the future of Germany.