The Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party secured a significant victory in the recent state election in Saxony-Anhalt, marking its closest approach to forming a far-right state government in Germany since World War II. The party’s success has drawn renewed attention to its controversial platform and its increasingly visible support from Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk.
Following the election result, Musk publicly congratulated AfD leader Alice Weidel on the social media platform X, previously known as Twitter, using the German phrase “Gut gemacht!” (“Well done!”). Over the past year, Musk has posted multiple messages endorsing the AfD and its policies, drawing both praise from party officials and concern from his critics. Ulrich Siegmund, the AfD leader in Saxony-Anhalt, thanked Musk for his backing and described him as a “visionary,” despite Siegmund’s own contentious background, including associates formerly involved in a banned neo-Nazi youth group.
Musk’s support for far-right parties extends beyond Germany, aligning with his broader political shift since 2024. In addition to backing former U.S. President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign with substantial financial contributions, Musk has cultivated relationships with various international far-right figures, such as Argentina’s Javier Milei and Italy’s Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni. He has also engaged in public events promoting nationalist and anti-immigration rhetoric, including delivering a livestreamed speech at a UK rally organized by activist Tommy Robinson.
Musk’s connection with the AfD is notable for its depth and longevity. In late 2024, he contributed an opinion piece to a German publication expressing strong support for the party, describing it as the country’s “last spark of hope” amid economic and cultural challenges. Musk disputed characterizations of the AfD as extremist, citing Weidel’s same-sex partnership as evidence against such labels. Following the party’s election success, Musk hosted a livestream with Weidel that significantly boosted her visibility on social media and in German-language media, according to researchers.
However, Musk’s influence has limits. Despite his attempts to elevate the AfD and shape discourse around it, surveys indicate that only a small fraction of Germans rely on X for news, and Musk remains unpopular in Germany. A 2025 YouGov poll found that just 19% viewed him favorably, with even fewer approving of his political interventions. Some AfD members reportedly view Musk’s involvement with skepticism, reflecting the party’s tendency toward traditional nationalist positions.
The AfD’s platform continues to generate controversy both within Germany and internationally. It advocates for stringent immigration controls, including mass deportations described by critics as “remigration,” a term associated with far-right and white nationalist ideology. The party opposes same-sex marriage and public displays of Islamic beliefs, while its leaders have drawn criticism for downplaying Holocaust history and using provocative language linked to Nazi symbolism.
Chancellor Friedrich Merz condemned the AfD’s rise, warning that the party’s agenda, particularly the call for “remigration,” amounts to ethnic cleansing based on origin and skin color. The AfD rejected this characterization, and Musk defended the party, dismissing such criticisms as propaganda and asserting that the term “far-right” was misleading. Musk’s own statements, which frequently emphasize racial and immigration issues, have increasingly mirrored the AfD’s far-right viewpoints.
The AfD’s electoral gains and Musk’s outspoken endorsement highlight the growing influence of nationalist movements within Germany and the complex role social media platforms and international figures play in shaping political landscapes. While Musk’s support has amplified the party’s reach in some circles, the broader implications for Germany’s democratic institutions and social cohesion remain a focal point of public debate.