Elon Musk tells German far-right to get over “past guilt”

Tech billionaire Elon Musk addressed a rally for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party on Saturday, urging attendees to move on from past guilt related to the country’s Nazi history.

Newsweek has contacted Musk via an email to Tesla for comment.

Why It Matters

Musk’s remarks, delivered virtually at the event in Halle, Germany, were made alongside AfD leader Alice Weidel, less than a month before the country’s February 23 general election. The AfD is polling at around 20 percent, which is a new record for the party.

Musk has displayed increasing support for far-right European political parties in recent months, including for Reform U.K. in the United Kingdom, and for the British far-right activist Tommy Robinson.

Just days earlier, Musk caused controversy for making a gesture during Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities that drew comparisons to a Nazi salute.

What To Know

During his Saturday speech, Musk defended his stance on German history, stating, “Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great-grandparents,” and encouraged national pride.

“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 said.

Weidel echoed his sentiments, adopting President Donald Trump’s slogan, “Make Germany great again.”

Musk also reiterated his belief that the February election could determine “the future of civilization.”

The rally drew a crowd of approximately 4,500, many of whom applauded Musk’s remarks.

Germany’s election, which was triggered by a political crisis within Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s centrist coalition government, comes as the country’s economy lags behind the rest of Europe.

The AfD has surged in popularity in the lead-up to the election, running on an anti-immigrant, anti-EU platform. However, all of Germany’s mainstream parties have consistently ruled out forming coalitions with them, making their chances of forming a government unlikely.

What People Are Saying

Donald Tusk, Prime Minister of Poland, posted on X: “The words we heard from the main actors of the AfD rally about ‘Great Germany’ and ‘the need to forget German guilt for Nazi crimes’ sounded all too familiar and ominous.”

Elon Musk wrote on X: “Only@AfD can save Germany,” receiving more than 31 million views.

What Happens Next

Germany’s federal election is set for February 23, with AfD trailing in polls. Musk’s comments are likely to remain a focal point of public debate in the weeks leading up to the vote.