The top line
Elon Musk made a surprise appearance at a rally for Germany’s Alternative for Deutschland party on Saturday, reiterating his support for the far-right party as the country’s “best hope” as the world’s wealthy Tarin faces charges for making the “Segheil” salute. An opening ceremony earlier this week.
The world’s richest man recently praised the Alternative for Deutschland party. … [+]
Key facts
Musk, Conn Appeared in practice At a campaign event in Halle, Germany, AfD candidate for chancellor Alice Weidel and her supporters urged them not to lose their national pride: “It’s good to be proud of German culture, German values, and it’s good to have some kind of pluralism.” Not to be lost in the cultural dilutes everything.”
The Tesla CEO said he hoped Weidel would become Germany’s chancellor after the Feb. 23 election, as Musk suggested the country suffered “too much bureaucracy” from the European Union. is
Musk referred to Germany’s Nazi past, saying he believes there is “too much focus on the guilt of the past” and that “children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great-grandparents.” “
Weidel praised Musk for his support and echoed President Donald Trump’s slogan that he would “make Germany great again.”
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Important quote
“The future of civilization may hang on this election,” Musk told the crowd of about 4,500 people, later adding, “I’m very excited for the AfD, I think you really are the best hope for the future of Germany. “
Key background
Musk has backed Germany’s Alternative for Deutschland party and has defended Weidel for weeks. He wrote an opinion piece in Germany’s Welt am Sonntag newspaper in December, characterizing the AfD as “right-wing extremists,” suggesting that Weidel is gay, suggesting, “Is it you? Sounds like Hitler, please!” Musk also accused Germany of being “comfortable with moderation” and claimed that the AfD would “save Germany from becoming a shadow of its former self.” Weidel spoke with Musk during a livestream on X earlier this month, during which Musk continued to praise Weidel for supporting anti-immigration policies. AfD party Allegedly It has overtaken the Christian Democratic Union and its sister party the Christian Social Union in the run-up to Germany’s federal election in February.
Tangent
Musk has repeatedly defended himself and brushed off criticism of the gesture he made at an inauguration for Trump on Monday, which some claim represents the “Seg Hail” salute. The salute used as a salute in Nazi Germany is illegal in both Germany and Austria. The Anti-Defamation League supported Musk for making the “awkward gesture in a moment of passion” and urged “all sides” to “give each other a little grace.” The group later appeared to retract its defense after Musk posted jokes about the names of Nazi Party members Rudolf Hess, Joseph Goebbels, Hermann Göring and Heinrich Himmler, telling the billionaire that “the Holocaust is no No joke.”
Further reading
