Elon Musk, owner of the X platform (formerly Twitter), had a live conversation with Alice Weidel, leader of the alternate for Germany (AfD). This gathering attracted attention due to a number of controversial and different statements that were made during the conversation. The discussion addressed topics from German politics, through historical issues, to the future of humanity on Mars.
The national elections will take place in Germany on 23 February. The AfD, which the billionaire openly supports, records support in the polls at around 20 percent, much higher in the erstwhile GDR.
“Hitler was a Communist”
In consequence to Musk's question about AfD's comparisons to Nazism, Weidel stated: “He was a Communist and considered himself a socialist... He wasn't a conservative. He wasn't a libertarian. He was a communist socialist. Period.” This message was met with a wave of criticism from historians and politicians who accused Weidel of manipulating historical facts. On the 1 hand, there is simply a politically correct classification of national socialism as an “extremely right” idea, although in fact Nazism has many contact points with the left. On the another hand, the politicians of the AfD frequently referred to the 3rd Reich positively, besides questioning post-war boundaries.
To Musk, known for his unpopular opinions and for his promotion of freedom of speech, this message seemed little controversial. From his perspective, the freedom to give even controversial opinions was more important. During the interview, Musk added: “People should have the right to challenge authoritative narratives, even if it is uncomfortable for ruling elites.”
Media Censorship and Hitler's Success
Weidel argued that Hitler would "never succeed" if he had not "disabled freedom of speech." Musk, a staunch supporter of freedom of expression, described this as “extreme censorship”. This part of the discussion highlighted the importance of free media in democratic countries and the risks of reducing them.
However, in Germany, AfD is frequently criticized for the fact that any of its members make statements that underestimate Nazi crimes. Alexander Gauland, MP and erstwhile co-leader in 2018 said that "Hitler and Nazism are only bird poop in over a 1000 years of German history". In 2021, during the parliamentary debate on the 80th anniversary of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact, he stated that the russian dictator had no another option than to agree with Hitler in 1939. He besides suggested Poland's responsibility due to the "extensive negotiations on the military convention between the russian Union, Empire (Great Britain – lit.) and France have repeatedly led to the same stalemate: how to organize defence without Poland, which did not want to tolerate russian troops in its territory". He added that the signing of the Ribbentrop-Molotov Pact was "a real-political and right decision for its own survival, however, the consequences of which were terrible for Poland". Another AfD politician, Björn Höcke, criticised the German Holocaust memorial culture, calling the Memorial of the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin a "minor of shame".
In the summer, in an interview with the Austrian magazine “Der Eckart”, conducted by the local communities (i.e. the alleged exiles) she said about her heritage: Weidel is simply a advanced Silesian surname. My father's household is from Leobschuetz. I have always refrained from checking the Polish name of this town and calling it different. My father had a terrible childhood, lost his parents and his brother.” Leobschuetz is present Głubczyce in Opole Voivodeship.
Support for AfD
Musk expressed his support for AfD, saying: “My advice to people in Germany is to do the same... I truly powerfully urge voting for AfD.” He besides added: “I think only AfD can save Germany.”
His words caused concern among German politicians who feared his influence on the elections in Europe. Olaf Scholz, Chancellor of Germany, commented briefly: “We will not let democracy in Germany to be manipulated by abroad interests.”
Colonization of Mars, God and war in Ukraine
The conversation besides addressed the subject of space exploration. Musk stated: “If we are a civilization inhabiting only 1 planet, it is only a substance of time before we are destroyed.” He added that the “future Martians” could 1 day come to the aid of the Earth.
Weidel asked Musk about his religion in God. He replied: “I am open to religion in things proportional to the information I receive... I am trying to formulate opinions based on what I am learning.” Musk emphasized that his approach to religion was based on technological skepticism.
In the context of the Ukraine conflict, Musk expressed hope that Donald Trump would resolve the conflict quickly, saying: “I think president Trump would resolve the conflict very quickly... The longer this takes, the worse for Ukraine.”
RAfD relations with the Confederation
An alternate for Germany works with the Polish Confederation, although it is not officially publicised. Both parties share a critical position towards the European Union, globalisation and climate policy. In 2022, representatives of the Confederation participated in a conference organised by the AfD in Dresden, during which cooperation strategies were discussed in the context of the upcoming elections.
Part of the Euro MPs of the Confederation joined the Europe of Sovereign Nations (ESN) Group in the European Parliament. For 25 Euro-Parliamentary as many as 14 members of the ESN are MPs of the AfD. The group's vice-president was Stanisław Tyszka of the Confederacy.
“What AfD leader said that not everyone who had an SS uniform was a criminal, causes this organization to lose a lot. Those words were at the end of the campaign. This organization has compromised, let's not fool ourselves. They went besides far in their narrative," said Ewa Zajączkowska-Hernik in June 2024. This did not prevent her from entering into an alliance with a “compromised party”.
