Europe leaders criticise Musk attacks

Several European leaders have recently criticized Elon Musk's statements on social media, particularly his attacks on German Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Musk called Scholz an "incompetent moron" and urged him to resign. Furthermore, Musk's plan to hold a lengthy conversation on his X platform with Alice Weidel, the leader of Germany's far-right anti-immigrant party AfD, has sparked discontent among many German politicians, who view it as interference in German politics.

Germany's federal election is scheduled for February 23rd, and with AfD currently ranking second in opinion polls, Musk's actions are even more controversial. Scholz responded by saying, "You have to stay calm and not fuel the trolls." While some European leaders, such as Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, have expressed admiration for Musk, others, especially considering Musk's impending role as an advisor to US President Donald Trump, find it difficult to ignore his interference in European domestic politics.

Within just 24 hours, four European governments, including France, Norway, and Spain, voiced their opposition to Musk's remarks. French President Macron expressed disbelief, finding it hard to fathom that the owner of a social media giant would support a new international reactionary movement and directly interfere in elections, including those in Germany. The Norwegian Prime Minister also expressed concern, finding it unsettling that someone with significant social network and economic resources would directly interfere in the internal affairs of other countries. A spokesperson for the Spanish government emphasized that digital platforms should maintain absolute neutrality and avoid any form of interference.

Musk has publicly criticized crime statistics in Norway and Spain and blamed a German Christmas market attack on "mass unchecked immigration." He has also repeatedly attacked British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and his government's handling of sexual assault and child sexual exploitation issues. Without directly mentioning Musk, the British Prime Minister stated, "Those who spread lies and disinformation as widely as possible are not interested in the victims; they are only interested in their own interests."

Notably, Italy and Hungary are two exceptions in Europe. Italian Prime Minister Meloni has a close relationship with Musk, calling him a "genius" and an "extraordinary innovator." Hungarian Prime Minister Orbán also shares common ground with Musk, as both have expressed dissatisfaction with Hungarian-born liberal philanthropist George Soros. However, Musk's interference in German politics is the most concerning, given Germany's upcoming elections. He has repeatedly publicly supported AfD and published an article in Die Welt, calling AfD Germany's "last hope."

Musk has defended his interference by saying it is due to his company Tesla's financial investments in Germany. He also stated that portraying AfD as right-wing extremist is "clearly wrong," because Alice Weidel has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka. However, German security agencies have classified AfD as a right-wing extremist or suspected extremist organization, and courts have ruled that the organization's goals are contrary to democracy. German Green Party Chancellor candidate Robert Habeck stated bluntly, "Mr. Musk, please do not interfere in our democracy."

Free Democratic Party leader Christian Lindner suggested that Musk's aim might be to undermine German interests in the US, "by suggesting voting for a party that would economically harm us and isolate us politically." Thierry Breton, former EU Commissioner for Digital Agenda, warned Alice Weidel that her live conversation with Musk on Thursday would give her "a significant and valuable advantage over her competitors." The European Commission stated that EU digital services rules do not prohibit live broadcasts or anyone expressing personal views, but warned platform owners against providing "preferential treatment." Musk's X platform is currently under investigation, and the EU stated that this live broadcast will also be included in the investigation.

In addition to being outspoken about German politics, Musk is also expanding his business interests in Italy. Shortly after Meloni dined with Trump at Mar-a-Lago, reports emerged that Italy was in talks with Musk's SpaceX for a $1.6 billion deal, under which Starlink satellites would provide encrypted internet and telecommunications services to the Italian government. While the deal has not been finalized, and Rome quickly denied signing any contracts, Musk stated on Monday that he was "ready to provide the safest and most advanced connectivity to Italy," without confirming that an agreement had been reached.

However, entrusting such sensitive services to Musk, while he is also funding the European far-right, spreading fake news, and interfering in the internal affairs of European countries, is enough to raise alarms among some opposition politicians in Rome. Center-left leader Carlo Calenda stated, "Entrusting such sensitive services to Musk, while he is sponsoring the European far-right, spreading fake news, and interfering in the internal affairs of European countries, is impossible."