Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), continues to stir controversy in Europe due to his outspoken political views. Recently, several European leaders, including France’s President Emmanuel Macron, Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and Spain’s Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, have accused Musk of interfering in national elections and supporting far-right figures.
Some have accused Musk of using his wealth and influence to interfere in elections, not only in the U.S. but across Europe, in order to advance his own far-right views and potentially sway elections in favor of candidates, as he did with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
Macron, in particular, voiced concern about Musk’s actions, saying, “Ten years ago, who would have thought, if we had been told that the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world would support the new international reactionary movement and intervene directly in elections, including in Germany?” His statement reflects how surprising and unsettling Musk’s behavior has been for many European leaders.
Macron’s comments were echoed by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, who referred to Musk’s actions as part of the “Reactionary International” and criticized him for attacking European institutions and inciting hatred. The French president’s words highlight a growing tension between Musk and European officials.
Musk has faced backlash for supporting far-right movements in Europe. He has publicly backed political figures like Alice Weidel, the co-leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. In recent weeks, he has made several controversial statements, including calling German Chancellor Olaf Scholz “an incompetent fool” and criticizing British Prime Minister Keir Starmer over his handling of a case involving the sexual exploitation of underage girls by men of Pakistani origin.
In the latest controversy, Musk is set to interview Alice Weidel on X. His open support for far-right political figures has raised concerns about his growing influence on European politics.
These actions have raised alarms across the continent, especially in France, where new laws have been introduced to prevent foreign interference in elections. Under these laws, the French government has the power to freeze the financial assets of individuals or organizations found guilty of such interference. If Musk’s actions are proven to violate these laws, it’s possible that his billions could be frozen, and he could face legal consequences.
Musk has responded to the accusations by attacking other European leaders. In a tweet, he criticized Starmer for calling Trump a racist. Musk has also been vocal about his views on UK politics, condemning arrests for social media posts and calling for Starmer’s removal.
