Elon Musk, the tech mogul and owner of the platform X, has stirred controversy in Europe by openly supporting far-right political parties like Germany's Alternative for Germany (AfD). His endorsement of Alice Weidel, the AfD's candidate, has shifted the focus of the German electoral campaign, overshadowing traditional political discourse. With the AfD polling as the second most popular party, Musk's backing is seen as a potential game-changer for the party, which is often marginalized due to its extremist views.
Musk's actions have prompted scrutiny from the German Bundestag, which is investigating whether his engagement constitutes an illegal political donation. The EU is also closely monitoring his activities for potential violations of the Digital Services Act, which prohibits election interference and manipulation.
This interference extends beyond Germany. Musk has also engaged with other European leaders, including Italy's Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, raising concerns about his influence on European politics. Despite backlash, Musk continues to leverage his platform to amplify voices that resonate with his views, challenging the political status quo and prompting debates about the intersection of technology, media, and democracy.
