Tech billionaire Elon Musk’s endorsement of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has ignited a political firestorm in Germany, with Chancellor Olaf Scholz branding his support as “disgusting.” As the country gears up for a crucial parliamentary election, Scholz has doubled down on Germany’s historical responsibility for World War II atrocities, clashing with Musk’s rejection of the notion of generational guilt.

Musk, the founder of SpaceX and Tesla, made a surprising political intervention by voicing his support for AfD, a right-wing party that has often been accused of harboring extremist views. Appearing via video link at an AfD rally on January 25, Musk urged Germans to move beyond the burden of historical guilt, emphasizing national pride and a cultural identity that he believes is at risk due to unchecked multiculturalism.

“It’s good to be proud of German culture, German values, and not to lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything,” Musk told an audience of 4,500 AfD supporters in Halle. He also argued that “children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great grandparents,” adding, “There is too much focus on past guilt, and we need to move beyond that.”

His statements immediately drew sharp criticism from Germany’s political establishment, with Scholz taking the lead in condemning Musk’s remarks.

Speaking in English at a campaign event in Berlin on January 28, Scholz did not mince words about Musk’s intervention.

“I disagree completely with Elon Musk and what he is doing,” the Chancellor said. “We are very happy that the United States liberated our country and helped us to become a democracy again. And this is why I am so angry about Elon Musk intervening for the far right.”

Scholz went further, accusing Musk of failing to recognize Germany’s moral and historical obligations. “Elon Musk is also not acting adequately to this killing of so many Jews and other people in Europe done by Germans in the past,” he asserted. “This is the historic responsibility we will continue to take in the future as well.”

The Chancellor concluded by warning that Musk’s support for AfD is “really disgusting, and it is not good for the democratic development in the European Union.”

Scholz has governed Germany since 2021 in a coalition comprising his center-left Social Democratic Party (SPD), the Free Democrats, and the Green Party. This so-called “traffic light” coalition collapsed in November 2023 due to disagreements over economic policy, prompting a snap election scheduled for February 23.

AfD has been gaining momentum in recent years, fueled by dissatisfaction with Germany’s immigration policies and economic struggles. The party’s platform includes strict anti-immigration policies, opposition to European Union regulations, and a strong emphasis on national identity—positions that align closely with Musk’s public criticisms of political correctness and mass migration.

Mainstream German politicians, including Scholz’s SPD and its allies, have consistently labeled AfD as a threat to democracy. While they have stopped short of banning the party outright, its rise has been met with increasing alarm among Germany’s political elite.

Musk has never shied away from political debates, often taking controversial stances on social and cultural issues. In the past, he has clashed with progressive politicians in the US, expressed skepticism toward large-scale immigration, and positioned himself as a champion of free speech, particularly since his acquisition of Twitter (now X) in 2022.

His endorsement of AfD is just the latest in a series of politically charged actions that have drawn both praise and criticism. In Germany, however, where collective memory of World War II and the Holocaust remains central to national identity, his comments have struck a particularly sensitive nerve.

Modern Germany has institutionalized the concept of historical guilt, integrating it into education, foreign policy, and public discourse. Holocaust memorials, stringent laws against Holocaust denial, and a political culture that strongly condemns nationalism are all part of Germany’s approach to ensuring that the past is never forgotten.

AfD’s rise has challenged this consensus. The party has been accused of downplaying Nazi crimes, with some of its members making controversial remarks about Germany’s wartime history. Musk’s rejection of “generational guilt” has therefore been interpreted as lending legitimacy to AfD’s historical revisionism.

Scholz’s rebuke of Musk also touches on the broader relationship between Germany and the United States. While the US has been a key ally in Germany’s post-war reconstruction and security, recent years have seen tensions over economic and military policies.

Musk’s influence in the US tech industry and his close relationships with American policymakers add another layer of complexity. His endorsement of AfD could be seen as an attempt to challenge Germany’s political status quo from an outsider’s perspective-one that aligns with rising right-wing movements across Europe and the US.

Musk’s involvement in German politics has drawn mixed reactions. While AfD supporters have welcomed his endorsement as a major boost to their campaign, many others view it as unwarranted interference by a foreign billionaire.

Political analysts are divided on whether Musk’s support will significantly impact the election. Some believe it could energize AfD’s base, particularly among younger voters and those skeptical of mainstream media narratives. Others argue that Scholz’s forceful condemnation could reinforce the perception of AfD as an extremist party, discouraging moderate voters from shifting their support.

The Musk-Scholz controversy is more than just a political spat; it reflects a deeper ideological battle over Germany’s past, present, and future. While Scholz insists on maintaining Germany’s commitment to historical responsibility, Musk’s endorsement of AfD signals a pushback against what he sees as excessive guilt and self-censorship.

As Germany approaches its February 23 election, the debate over national identity, historical memory, and democracy will continue to intensify. Whether Musk’s intervention will have a lasting impact remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: his support for AfD has added a new and unexpected dimension to an already turbulent political landscape.

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