Macron accuses Elon Musk of interfering in Germany’s election, slams billionaire’s actions
French President Emmanuel Macron has criticized Elon Musk, the owner of social media platform X, for interfering in European politics, including Germany’s recent election. Macron made the remarks during a speech to French ambassadors on Monday, January 6.
The French president expressed concern about the growing influence of social media networks like X, stating that it was once unimaginable for such platforms to openly support political movements and even intervene in elections. “Ten years ago, who could have imagined it if we had been told that the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world would support a new international reactionary movement and intervene directly in elections, including in Germany?” Macron said.
Macron’s comments came after Musk publicly voiced support for Germany’s hard-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, both on his platform and in an opinion piece for the Welt am Sonntag newspaper. In the article, Musk downplayed accusations that the AfD was far-right, questioning the portrayal of party leader Alice Weidel as extremist because of her same-sex relationship with a woman from Sri Lanka.
The piece sparked controversy, leading to the resignation of the newspaper’s opinion editor, who disagreed with Musk’s statements.
The German government had already accused Musk of attempting to meddle in its elections just days before Macron’s speech. The ongoing tensions between Musk’s support for far-right groups and the political climate in Europe continue to raise concerns over the power of social media in shaping political outcomes.
This incident follows a similar pattern of Musk’s involvement in US politics, where he endorsed Donald Trump during the build-up to the 2024 US presidential election.
