Elon Musk made a surprise appearance at a rally for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) party on Saturday, creating a snowball of controversy. The Tesla CEO addressed the event in Halle, Germany virtually, urging Germans to embrace their culture and values while resisting a multiculturalism he said was influencing the country. Elon Musk’s remarks fueled the controversy surrounding his public remarks, as he was accused of giving a “Sieg Heil” salute during Donald Trump’s inauguration earlier this week.
Pride in German Culture and Values
Musk made the following statement in a virtual speech to Alice Weidel, the AfD’s candidate for chancellor, and her supporters: “It is great to be proud of German culture, German values.” He warned against Germany’s identity being diluted by the ideals of multiculturalism, calling on people to preserve their specific cultural patrimony. Elon Musk wished that after the February 23 election, Weidel would win and become Germany’s chancellor and confessed that Germany’s bureaucracy, especially in the European Union, was stifling the country.
Elon Musk tells an AfD rally in Germany: “I think there is too much focus on past guilt (in Germany), and we need to move beyond that. Children should not feel guilty for the sins of their parents – their great grandparents even” pic.twitter.com/xtFMfAYrIp
— Barak Ravid (@BarakRavid) January 25, 2025
Musk’s remarks, which emphasized that people are drawn to areas with unique identities rather than ones that feel homogenized as a result of globalization, reflected a larger anti-globalization trend.
Controversial Remarks on Guilt
In addition, Musk addressed historical guilt in his speech, imploring Germans to let go of the burden of their forebears’ deeds. “There’s too much focus on past guilt,” he stated. “Children shouldn’t be blamed for the sins of their parents or great-grandparents.” This statement comes amidst continuous debate about Germany’s reckoning with its Nazi past, which continues to divide public opinion.
Weidel and Elon Musk are aligned on ‘Make Germany Great Again’
Weidel, who has become very popular across the ranks of the AfD, mimicked one of President Donald Trump’s popular slogans. She declared herself to “Make Germany Great Again.” In contrast, Musk has been fully supportive of Trump and his agenda on social media, where he openly endorsed the party of AfD in the past weeks. Given the assumptions of holding Nazi sympathies, Musk has denied these rumors and continues to defend himself, saying he meant nothing by propagating such ideologies.
