Elon Musk urges Germany to ‘move on’ from Nazi guilt at far-right rally – The National
Tech billionaire Elon Musk He made a surprise virtual appearance in Germany Alternative for Germany Thousands of people gathered in the eastern German city of Halle (AfD) on Saturday to show support for the far-right party during its election campaign.
Speaking to a 4,500-seat auditorium together with party leader Alice Weidel, Musk spoke about preserving German culture and protecting the German people.
“I’m very excited,” Musk said in support of the far-right party AfDI think you really are the best hope for Germany. I think it is very important for people to be proud of Germany and to be German. This is very important. It’s normal to be proud to be German. This is a very important principle.”
“It’s good to be proud of German culture, German values, and not lose that in a kind of multiculturalism that dilutes everything,” Musk told the audience.
Last week, Musk caused a stir after that straight-armed, made like a Nazi Gesture during a speech to the President of the United States Donald Trump inauguration.
“Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone the sins of their parents, their great-grandparents,” he said on Saturday, referring to Germany’s Nazi past.
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“I think there’s too much emphasis on past guilt and we need to move beyond that,” he said.
Musk told the crowd they should be “optimistic” and “excited” about Germany’s future, adding: “I hope your people will unite and strongly support the AfD.”
“Let’s go, guys! let’s go! Fight for a great future for Germany, Go, go, go! Convince your friends. Convince everyone,” Musk said as the crowd clapped and cheered.
“I think this upcoming election in Germany is incredibly important. I think this can decide the fate of the whole of Europe, maybe the world,” Musk added. “This is the importance of this election. That’s why it’s so important to talk to your friends and family and convince them to consider voting for the AfD. And then go with it like a chain reaction. Make a friend believe, talk to another friend.”
After the chancellor of Germany, Germany will also vote in the early elections to be held on February 23 of Olaf Scholz three-party governance the coalition collapsed In November 2024, in a debate about how to revive the country’s stagnant economy.
Speaking on Saturday about the suppression of speech under the German government, the Tesla CEO attacked Scholz earlier on X.
Scholz said last Tuesday that he does not support free speech being used for far-right views.
“We have freedom of speech in Europe and Germany. Anyone can say what they want, even if they are a billionaire. What we don’t accept is if it’s supporting far-right positions,” Scholz said when asked about Musk’s hand gesture during Trump’s inauguration in Davos.
Musk dismissed the criticism as a “tired” attack. “Shame on Oaf Shitz” Musk Posted in X With a video clip shared by another user last Tuesday showing Scholz speaking at the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in a Swiss resort.
Musk also wrote a German-language guest op-ed for Welt am Sonntag, Politico’s sister publication owned by the Axel Springer Group. In December 2024.
“The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last glimmer of hope for this country,” Musk said in a translated statement.
The world’s richest man later said the far-right party could “lead the country into a future where economic prosperity, cultural integrity and technological innovation are not just dreams, but reality.”
Musk also wrote that his investment in Germany gave him the right to comment on the state of the country.
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—With documents from Reuters and the Associated Press
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