Germany Accuses Elon Musk of Attempting to Influence Upcoming Election

German officials have accused tech billionaire Elon Musk of trying to interfere in the country’s upcoming federal election, which is scheduled for February 23.

The accusation stems from Musk’s recent activities, including posts on his social media platform, X, and an opinion piece published in a prominent German newspaper, where he voiced strong support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.

“It is indeed the case that Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal election,” a government spokesperson stated on Monday, pointing to Musk’s public endorsements of the AfD.

Over the weekend, Musk wrote an opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag, a leading publication in the Axel Springer media group, praising the AfD’s policies on regulation, taxes, and market deregulation. Musk also claimed on X that “only the AfD can save Germany.”

While the spokesperson acknowledged Musk’s right to express his views, she criticized his actions, saying, “After all, freedom of opinion also covers the greatest nonsense.”

Musk’s support for the AfD coincides with a period of political instability in Germany. The collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s coalition government has triggered early elections, leaving the nation’s political future uncertain.

The publication of Musk’s opinion piece has sparked controversy. The editor of Welt am Sonntag’s opinion section announced her resignation on X shortly after its release, citing concerns over the article’s impact.

Meanwhile, Friedrich Merz, leader of the opposition Christian Democratic Union (CDU) and a frontrunner to succeed Scholz as chancellor, criticized Musk’s actions as an unprecedented case of external interference in Western democratic elections.

“I cannot recall a comparable case of interference, in the history of Western democracies, in the election campaign of a friendly country,” Merz told the Funke Media Group. He described Musk’s commentary as “intrusive and pretentious.”

Saskia Esken, co-leader of Scholz’s Social Democratic Party (SPD), also condemned Musk’s involvement, pledging strong resistance to any attempts by influential individuals or external forces to manipulate the electoral process.

“In Elon Musk’s world, democracy and workers’ rights are obstacles to more profit,” Esken told Reuters. “We say quite clearly: Our democracy is defensible and it cannot be bought.”

Despite the backlash, Welt’s editor-in-chief designate defended the decision to publish Musk’s commentary, arguing that democracy and journalism thrive on the free exchange of ideas, even polarizing ones. “Freedom of opinion is a cornerstone of our democratic society,” the editor stated.

The AfD, which has been gaining traction in opinion polls, is running second in national surveys and may have the potential to disrupt Germany’s traditional center-right and center-left coalitions.

However, mainstream German parties have consistently pledged to exclude the AfD from any governing coalition at the national level due to its far-right stance.

Musk’s public endorsement of the AfD adds another layer of complexity to an already contentious election. As the billionaire prepares to serve as an outside adviser in U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s administration, his involvement in Germany’s political landscape raises questions about the influence of global figures on domestic politics.

Critics argue that Musk’s actions exemplify how wealthy and influential individuals can attempt to sway democratic processes in foreign nations.

Germany’s upcoming election will determine the nation’s political direction after years of leadership under Scholz and his coalition.

With the AfD positioning itself as a disruptive force, Musk’s endorsement has amplified tensions, fueling debates about the intersection of wealth, power, and democratic integrity.