“Freedom Of Expression Also Includes The Greatest Nonsense”: German Government Downplays Elon Musk’s Endorsement Of Far-Right Party

The German government has sought to downplay Elon Musk's involvement in its general election campaign following his endorsement of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Musk’s support, expressed through a guest opinion piece in the newspaper Welt am Sonntag, has ignited widespread criticism, political backlash, and media debate.

“Freedom of expression also includes the greatest nonsense," said government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann, refraining from directly addressing Musk’s remarks. However, Hoffmann acknowledged that “it is indeed the case that Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal election through his statement.”

Musk’s commentary described the AfD as “the last spark of hope for this country” and claimed that the party could ensure “economic prosperity, cultural integrity, and technological innovation.” His opinion piece marks the second time this month he has publicly supported the AfD.

The endorsement comes ahead of Germany’s early election on 23 February 2025, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-party coalition. Despite the AfD polling strongly, its candidate, Alice Weidel, is unlikely to become chancellor due to the refusal of other political parties to collaborate with the far-right group.

Musk’s commentary has drawn criticism from both politicians and media outlets. Many condemned the newspaper for offering Musk—a foreigner—a platform to influence domestic politics. The paper’s opinion editor resigned in protest, announcing her decision on Musk’s social media platform, X.

The Welt am Sonntag attempted to balance Musk’s piece with a critical article by Jan Philipp Burgard, the future editor-in-chief of the Welt group. Burgard acknowledged some validity in Musk's observations about Germany's challenges but described his endorsement of the AfD as “fatally wrong.”

Musk defended his commentary by citing his investments in Germany, claiming they grant him the right to comment on the country's political landscape. His statements have sparked an intense debate over free speech and the role of foreign influence in national elections.