Elon Musk’s Far-Right Endorsements Spark Alarm Across Europe

Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has ignited controversy across Europe by endorsing far-right political movements and leaders, raising concerns among mainstream politicians and analysts. Musk, who recently supported Donald Trump‘s re-election campaign in the U.S., has turned his attention to European politics, aligning himself with the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and criticizing prominent leaders like British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

In a December 20 post on X, Musk declared, “Only the AfD can save Germany,” referring to the far-right party currently under surveillance by German intelligence for suspected extremism. He later doubled down on his support in an op-ed for the German newspaper Die Welt am Sonntag, claiming Germany is “teetering on the edge of economic and cultural collapse.” Musk is scheduled to host a live chat on X with AfD co-leader Alice Weidel this week, further solidifying his alliance with the party.

Musk’s interventions have drawn sharp criticism from European leaders. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz called Musk’s involvement “worrying,” while French President Emmanuel Macron warned of the risks posed by tech billionaires wielding unchecked power. “Who could have imagined, 10 years ago, that the owner of one of the world’s largest social networks would intervene directly in elections, including in Germany?” Macron said.

In the U.K., Musk has targeted Prime Minister Keir Starmer, accusing him of complicity in historical child abuse cases during his tenure as England’s director of public prosecutions. Starmer has denied the allegations, calling Musk’s remarks “lies and misinformation.” Andrew Chadwick, a professor of political communication at Loughborough University, noted that Musk is using X “a bit like an old-style newspaper mogul” to promote his political views, aligning himself with an international far-right movement.

Musk’s political gambits carry risks for his businesses. Tesla’s European sales have already declined, with new registrations dropping 13% in the first nine months of 2023, according to auto researcher Jato Dynamics. In Germany, Tesla registrations fell by 44%. Analysts warn that Musk’s outspokenness could alienate customers who disagree with his politics.

Despite the backlash, Musk appears undeterred. His embrace of far-right causes has sparked a broader debate about the influence of tech oligarchs on democracy. As European leaders grapple with his interventions, Musk’s ultimate aim seems to be muddying the political discourse to weaken state control over the private sector. Whether his strategy will succeed remains to be seen, but it has already triggered a vigorous defense of democratic institutions across the continent.