Elon Musk has sparked a firestorm after calling for German Chancellor Olaf Scholz to resign. In a Friday evening post on his social media platform, X, Musk wrote: “Scholz should resign immediately,” referring to the deadly car attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg. Musk went on to label Scholz an “incompetent fool.” Scholz had earlier expressed his sorrow over the incident, initially described by Magdeburg’s mayor as an attack.
Musk’s Remarks Stir Controversy
The billionaire’s post comes after his surprising entry into German political discourse earlier that day. Musk had tweeted: “Only the AfD can save Germany,” linking to a post from an AfD-affiliated influencer. The comment drew swift criticism from German leaders, with Health Minister Karl Lauterbach calling Musk’s intervention “unworthy and highly problematic.”
Government spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann expressed concern over the influence Musk wields through X, while Elmar Brok, a former senior EU foreign policy official, warned against the “world domination fantasies of American tech kings.”
Scholz and Lauterbach Respond
Scholz struck a measured tone, defending Musk’s right to free speech during a press conference. “We have freedom of expression, even for billionaires,” Scholz said. “But freedom of expression also means people can say things that are untrue or offer bad political advice.”
Lauterbach, however, was less forgiving, accusing Musk of meddling in Germany’s elections. He described Musk’s tweet as “absolutely inappropriate” and urged close monitoring of his activities on X. “Musk behaves like a government official,” Lauterbach said, referencing Musk’s new role as an advisor to President-elect Donald Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency.
Rising Concerns Over Musk’s Political Influence
Musk’s involvement in German politics follows his appointment by Trump to streamline the U.S. government. Critics worry that his alliance with Trump could reshape global politics. AfD leader Alice Weidel eagerly endorsed Musk’s comment, replying on X: “Yes! You are absolutely right!”
CDU foreign policy veteran Elmar Brok warned of a dangerous alliance between Musk and Trump. “The richest people in the world want to reshape global politics to their advantage and eliminate any form of regulation,” Brok said.
Calls for Caution Amid Political Tensions
Historian Andreas Rödder advised calm, likening Musk’s actions toward Germany to past German political attitudes toward the U.S. “Neither is cooperative or productive,” Rödder said, urging against self-righteousness.
Meanwhile, FDP leader Christian Lindner called Musk’s endorsement of the AfD misguided, labeling the party as far-right and anti-trade. Lindner extended an olive branch, inviting Musk to meet and learn where the FDP stands.
As Germany reels from the Christmas market tragedy, Musk’s incendiary remarks and apparent political ambitions have fueled debates about the growing influence of billionaires on global democracy.
