Summary

Elon Musk is expected to host Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s far-right AfD party, for an online chat on his platform, X, ahead of Germany’s Feb. 23 national election.

Musk, who endorsed the anti-immigration, anti-Islamic AfD in December, has drawn criticism for supporting far-right and anti-establishment movements in Europe.

German leaders, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz, have condemned Musk’s involvement, calling it undemocratic.

The AfD, labeled extremist by German security, has been isolated by mainstream parties, but Musk’s endorsement has sparked controversy and debate over his political influence.

  • SkunkWorkz@lemmy.world
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    2 days ago

    Muskrat wants to weaken German unions so he can build Teslas more cheaply and he needs an authoritarian regime that will violently break up protests outside his German factories. This is why he is promoting AfD since that’s the only party that will do Musks bidding. Also why he isn’t talking about France even though fascism is on the rise there as well, he doesn’t have a factory there.

  • barsoap@lemm.ee
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    3 days ago

    He called German Chancellor Olaf Scholz an “incompetent fool” and said he should resign after a deadly car attack on a German Christmas market.

    OMFG my sides. The attack was on the 20th of December, Scholz lost his confidence vote on the 11th of December (after firing Lindner on the 6th of November for treason against the coalition), opening the way for the President to dissolve parliament, resulting in new elections, which will be on the 23rd of February. Yes, technically Scholz could resign on top of that but all that would do is make Habeck Chancellor who I assume Musk likes even less. Technically they’re not even Chancellor and Vice Chancellor right now but acting versions of the same thing, having been told by the President that they are to stay in office.

    On top of that it was the Magdeburg police who fucked up security, which is state matter. This wasn’t a train station or international border, the federation has no jurisdiction. As far as failure to predict things and thus warn local police is concerned, Faeser is on the hook. The buck stops with the interior minister because the Chancellor cannot micro-manage anything, only give broad guidelines.

    The amount of ignorance about German politics is just off the charts.

    • rimjob_rainer@discuss.tchncs.de
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      3 days ago

      This is classic populism, the facts don’t matter. Most people will read what he spouts and think he tells the truth, because most people are stupid/ignorant and receptive to populism.

      • barsoap@lemm.ee
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        3 days ago

        I mean yes but for that to work he would have to be popular. He might be trying to suck up to AfD voters so that now they instead of green techbros buy his cars but more realistically, I think he’s just off the rails.

        Especially the “Scholz should resign” thing while Scholz is already on the way out is a thing even AfD voters will understand to be completely clueless.

        • rimjob_rainer@discuss.tchncs.de
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          3 days ago

          I mean yes but for that to work he would have to be popular.

          Elon Musk is probably the most popular billionaire right now.

          Especially the “Scholz should resign” thing while Scholz is already on the way out is a thing even AfD voters will understand to be completely clueless.

          I think you massively overestimate AfD voters.

    • x00z@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      Don’t forget Musk was already spouting this bullshit when the first responders were still at the scene.

      A little “thoughts and prayers” probably made his soul burn too much.

    • udon@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      Quite telling though that the tax stealing torturer is not asshole enough for Melon. He wants Hitler back

  • frunch@lemmy.world
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    3 days ago

    Omg really?!? 😳 Is he bringing his human shields (e.g. his children) with him as well?

    • Sho@lemmy.world
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      2 days ago

      Glad someone else noticed this uptick in him being with his kids in public more.

  • john89@lemmy.ca
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    2 days ago

    He’s a businessman. Nothing more, nothing less.

    His entire goal since before we’ve started hearing about him was to make as much money as possible for as little effort as possible.

    He does not care about the products or improving the world. He only cares about the money.

    • ahal@lemmy.ca
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      2 days ago

      I don’t buy this. He’s driven by his ego more so than money at this point. Influencing world events makes him feel warm and fuzzy.

      • john89@lemmy.ca
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        2 days ago

        These conmen know that any publicity is good publicity.

        He’s the same as Trump and West. All of them say controversial shit that they may or may not believe just to get people talking about it to further their brand.

        In this case, it’s clear as day that musk is cozying up to conservatives because he believes they will make him more money in the end.