(The Hill) — Tech billionaire Elon Musk penned an op-ed further expressing support for the far-right German political party Alternative for Germany (AfD). In response, the paper’s commentary editor resigned in protest.
Musk, a close ally of President-elect Trump, wrote a guest opinion piece in the German Welt am Sonntag newspaper, Axel Springer media group’s flagship news outlet, that was released on Saturday. In it, the tech mogul touched on a variety of issues that, in his view, Germany needs to address as it near an “economic and cultural collapse.”
The Tesla CEO said he has the “right” to address the country’s political climate as he has “made significant investments” in Germany’s technological and industrial sectors.
Musk’s op-ed in the German newspaper comes just over a week ago after the SpaceX executive endorsed the far-right party, saying “Only the AfD can save Germany.” He received pushback from some current and former Congressional lawmakers, with some labeling the group as a neo-Nazi party.
"The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party's leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!" Musk wrote in his opinion piece, mentioning Weidel, a co-chair of the party.
In the op-ed, Musk argued that Germany’s economy is handicapped by regulatory overreach and bureaucracy.
“The AfD has understood that economic freedom is not just desirable, but necessary. Its approach of reducing government over-regulation, cutting taxes and deregulating the market reflects the principles that made Tesla and SpaceX successful,” Musk wrote, according to a rough translation.
“If Germany wants to regain its industrial strength, it needs a party that doesn't just talk about growth, but also takes policy action to create an environment where companies can thrive without heavy government intervention,” he added.
Musk also endorsed AfD’s immigration proposals in the op-ed. The party, similar to the incoming Trump administration in the U.S., has supported deportations from Germany. The tech entrepreneur also urged Germany to diversify when it comes to relying on energy sources, including utilizing nuclear power and increasing battery storage.
“The traditional parties have failed in Germany. Their policies have led to economic stagnation, social unrest and an erosion of national identity,” Musk wrote, according to the translation. “The AfD, even though it is labeled as far-right, represents a political realism that resonates with many Germans who feel their concerns are ignored by the establishment.”
Following the op-ed’s publication, the paper’s opinion section editor, Eva Marie Kogel, announced her resignation on X.
The paper’s top editors, Jan Philipp Burgard and Ulf Poschardt, told Reuters that "Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression. This includes dealing with polarising positions and classifying them journalistically,” adding that discourse around Musk’s op-ed was "very revealing.”
Below Musk’s writing, Burgard authored a response, saying the tech mogul’s “diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach, that only the AfD can save Germany, is fatally false.”
Elections in Germany are set for Feb. 23 following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's government. AfD is reportedly second in public opinion polls.
