Paris — Elon Musk has been a regular part of Donald Trump’s orbit since the November election, and the Tesla CEO has gone from federal government efficiency to the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war. He has advised the next president on multiple issues ranging from
Musk has now escalated his criticism and ridicule of European leaders and governments, repeatedly through his social media platform X, amid growing calls for regulatory action against X in Europe. This has sparked opposition from European governments.
In a speech Wednesday marking the 50th anniversary of the death of Spain’s fascist dictator Francisco Franco, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez explicitly referenced recent online attacks on Mr. Musk, many of which were directed at German leader Olaf. -It was directed at Mr. Scholz and the British people. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Sanchez did not mention Musk directly by name, but said the international far right was “openly attacking our institutions” and “stoking hatred” and that the movement “in this case It’s led by the richest people,” he added. References to Tesla and SpaceX bosses.
Elon Musk walks on stage while gesturing with his hands during a rally for former US president and Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump held at Madison Square Garden in New York on October 27, 2024.
Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Images
Earlier on Wednesday, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noël Barrault also spoke out against Musk’s online attacks and called on the European Union (EU), as EU countries’ digital affairs regulator, to take more decisive action. . Musk used his social platforms to claim that he was “interfering” in the internal affairs of European countries.
Barot, France’s top diplomat, said Musk’s intervention in Europe’s public debate was “to stir up conversation and is extremely regrettable” or that he “envisions new collaborations with far-right parties.” He said that it was either for the purpose of
Musk caused a stir in December when he wrote on X: “Only the AfD can save Germany.” He mentioned Alternative for Germany, a far-right nationalist party that has grown in popularity in recent years due in part to its anti-immigration rhetoric. .
Musk then gave full support to the AfD in an editorial in a German newspaper. Days earlier, after a December 20 car crash at a Christmas market in the German city of Magdeburg, Musk called German Chancellor Olaf Scholz an “incompetent fool” and said he should resign immediately. said.
Mr. Musk’s frequent interventions against Mr. Scholz come at a politically sensitive time in Germany, weeks before voters go to the polls in a general election next month.
This month, Mr Musk made his comments amid a highly sensitive and acrimonious debate in the UK over the historic sexual grooming of children by gangs of mostly Pakistani British men while Starmer was Prime Minister. , shifted the focus of online attacks to Prime Minister Starmer. In a statement to the BBC, Mr Starmer defended his career and insisted he had tackled the prosecution “head on”. and enacted several reforms to support victims of sexual abuse.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer speaks about plans to reduce NHS waiting times during a visit to health care providers in Surrey, southwest of London, on January 6, 2025.
Leon Neal/Pool/AFP via Getty Images
“America should free the British people from their oppressive government,” Musk wrote on X on Monday. Tesla’s CEO was also sentenced to 18 months in prison for contempt of court for championing the cause of British far-right activist Tommy Robinson and repeating false claims against Syrian refugees. They called for his release.
French FM Barrow suggested in an interview with France Radio on Wednesday that Musk’s interference in the internal affairs of European countries is even more inappropriate because he is part of President-elect Trump’s incoming government.
“When you join government, or aspire to join government, your voice has some pretty special value,” Barot said.
French President Emmanuel Macron also said in a speech to French ambassadors on foreign policy on Monday: “Ten years ago, the owner of one of the world’s largest social networks supported a new international reactionary movement and Direct interference in elections, including
In an editorial published in a German newspaper in late December, Musk called the idea that the AfD party was a “far-right extremist” party “false.” But last year, a leading AfD figure, Björn Höcke, was found by a German district court to have intentionally used Nazi slogans in a public speech, in violation of German hate speech laws. He was convicted on two separate occasions. Mr. Hecke denied knowing the origins of the phrase he used.
Nevertheless, the AfD’s anti-immigration stance is gaining ground in Germany, with many opinion polls showing it finishing second in next month’s election.
Musk’s support for the AfD will be in the spotlight again on Thursday when X hosts party leader Alice Weidell in a livestream event. The EU’s European Commission has announced ahead of February’s general elections that it will monitor live streaming to ensure it complies with EU law and does not unfairly favor the AfD.
At a press conference Tuesday at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida, President-elect Donald Trump dismissed Musk’s criticism of European politicians, saying in part, “I don’t think Musk is running for office.” I know he said some negative things about some of the people who were there.” It’s an office, but it’s not that unusual.”
President Trump also said that Musk is “doing a good job.”
