Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen correspondent: Israeli drones are flying over the presidential palace in Baabda, Mount Lebanon, and over the skies of the capital, Beirut, and its suburbs.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in South Lebanon: Israeli warplanes launch a series of raids on the al-Mahmoudiya and Jarmaq areas
Trump reiterates proposal for Russia and Ukraine to stop at current front line, negotiate later
Reuters: Trump says no discussion regarding Ukraine ceding Donbas to Russia
US Vice President JD Vance: There is currently no security infrastructure in place to ensure the disarmament of Hamas
Israeli occupation forces said that "ceasefire in Gaza begins to be re-implemented."
Israeli media: 'Israel' to halt entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza until further notice.
Al Mayadeen correspondent: One woman was killed and several children were injured as a result of Israeli bombing of displaced Gazans' tents in the Mawasi area of ​​Khan Yunis, south of the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen correspondent in Gaza: An Israeli airstrike targeted the eastern areas of Jabalia, north of the Gaza Strip.
Al Mayadeen correspondent in Gaza: An Israeli airstrike targeted Al-Bureij refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip.

Elon Musk's AfD endorsement sparks resignation at German newspaper

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 28 Dec 2024 19:19
3 Min Read

Recent polls place the AfD in second position, potentially complicating efforts by centrist parties to form a majority government.

Listen
  • x
  • Elon Musk attends the formal reopening of France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral Saturday, Dec. 7, 2024 in Paris. (Christophe Petit-Tesson, Pool via AP)
    Elon Musk attends the formal reopening of France's iconic Notre Dame Cathedral on Saturday, December 7, 2024 in Paris. (Pool via AP)

Elon Musk's endorsement of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in an opinion piece published Saturday by Welt am Sonntag has stirred significant controversy. The article led to the resignation of the newspaper's opinion editor, Eva Marie Kogel, and ignited debates about the role of journalism and political commentary.

In the piece, the billionaire expanded on a recent statement made on his social media platform, X, where he asserted, "only the AfD can save Germany." Musk also dismissed the labeling of the party as extremist, arguing, "The portrayal of the AfD as right-wing extremist is clearly false, considering that Alice Weidel, the party's leader, has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you? Please!"

Germany's domestic intelligence agency has classified the AfD as a suspected extremism case at the national level since 2021, highlighting the party's controversial standing in the country's political landscape. The AfD's policies include advocating for Germany to leave the European Union, seeking closer ties with Russia, and adopting a conciliatory stance toward China.

Read more: Poll shows increased support for Germany's AfD

Related News

Russia calls for JCPOA talks, slams Europe’s stance on Iran

Oil markets search for a boost as Brent Crude holds at $60

Shortly after Musk's commentary was published, Kogel announced her resignation via X, linking to the article and signaling her disapproval. In response, Jan Philipp Burgard, the newspaper's editor-in-chief designate, and Ulf Poschardt, the incoming publisher, defended the publication of the piece. "Democracy and journalism thrive on freedom of expression. This includes dealing with polarizing positions and classifying them journalistically," they told Reuters.

Burgard also issued a rebuttal to Musk's claims, which was published alongside the original commentary. While he acknowledged Musk's criticism of Germany's political situation, Burgard dismissed his conclusion that the AfD is the solution, describing it as "fatally false" and referencing the party's controversial policies and positions.

Musk defended his right to comment on German politics, citing his "significant investments" in the country, such as Tesla's Berlin-based Gigafactory. His remarks come at a pivotal moment, as Germany prepares for national elections on February 23, following the collapse of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government.

Musk Controversy

Recent polls place the AfD in second position, potentially complicating efforts by centrist parties to form a majority government. However, Germany's mainstream political factions have vowed to exclude the AfD from any coalition agreements.

The piece has sparked widespread discussion, with hundreds of comments posted in its immediate aftermath. Critics have focused on Musk's framing of extremism and his alignment with a party that remains divisive within German politics. As Burgard noted, "Musk's diagnosis is correct, but his therapeutic approach... is fatally false."

Read more: German Chancellor Candidate claims AfD seeks peace in Ukraine

  • United States
  • AFD
  • Germany
  • Elon Musk
  • Alternative for Germany party (AfD)

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Yemeni Armed Forces Chief of Staff Major General Mohammad Abd al-Karim al-Ghamari , during a ceremony in an undisclosed locations in Yemen, undate (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemeni Armed Forces mourn martyred Chief of Staff al-Ghamari

  • Politics
  • 16 Oct 2025
Israeli occupation violates Gaza ceasefire, killing seven Palestinians.

Israeli occupation violates Gaza ceasefire, kills seven Palestinians

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Zionists Fundamentally Misread Iran Due To Their Own Echo Chambers

Zionists fundamentally misread Iran due to their own echo chambers

  • Analysis
  • 15 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
UK blocks release of documents on secretive Lammy-Sa’ar meeting.
Politics

UK blocks release of documents on secret Lammy-Sa’ar meeting

Colombia slams Trump’s drug accusation, defends sovereignty
Politics

Colombia slams Trump’s incendiary drug claims, defends sovereignty

The abuse was detailed in Giuffre's memoir "Nobody's Girl: A Memoir of Surviving Abuse and Fighting for Justice." (AP)
Politics

Epstein victim recounts choking, sexual assault by 'well-known PM'

The US Secret Service discovered a hunting stand near the airport President Donald Trump uses in Florida. (US Secret Service)
Politics

FBI probes hunting stand with sightline to Trump’s Air Force One exit

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS