With just a week to go before Donald Trump takes the oath of office for his second term as U.S. President, several countries in Europe are expressing growing unease. While the focus is naturally on how Trump’s policies will affect global politics, some nations are equally concerned about one of his closest allies — Elon Musk.
Germany, the United Kingdom, and Norway have all raised alarms about Musk’s increasing involvement in their internal political affairs. The billionaire entrepreneur, known for his ventures like Tesla, SpaceX, and the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has been making headlines not just for his business acumen but also for his controversial political endorsements and statements.
Germany: Discomfort Over Musk’s Support for Right-Wing Politics
In Germany, the concerns are particularly acute. Robert Habeck, the country’s Vice Chancellor and Minister of Economy, voiced his frustration in an interview with Der Spiegel. “Musk, keep your hands off our democracy,” he said, referring to the tech mogul’s open support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Germany is preparing for early parliamentary elections in February, and Musk’s involvement has already stirred controversy. His public backing of AfD, a party known for its anti-immigration stance and euroscepticism, has left many German leaders uneasy. Chancellor Olaf Scholz, head of the Social Democratic Party (SPD), also expressed concern. In an interview with Stern magazine, Scholz said, “It’s not new for wealthy media entrepreneurs to criticize social democratic politics. However, it is particularly worrying when someone like Musk publicly supports a party like AfD, which seeks to weaken transatlantic relations and advocates closer ties with Putin’s Russia.”
Despite these concerns, Musk remains undeterred. His influence in Germany’s political landscape continues to grow, much to the dismay of the country’s political establishment.
United Kingdom: Musk’s Surprising Endorsement of Reform UK
In the United Kingdom, Elon Musk’s political interference has also sparked debate. Ahead of the general elections in July last year, Musk made headlines for endorsing Reform UK, a right-wing party led by Nigel Farage. Unlike the traditional Labour and Conservative parties, Reform UK positions itself as an alternative, promoting policies that aim to rebuild Britain post-Brexit.
Musk’s support for the party extended beyond words. He was seen publicly with Farage, posing for photos that quickly went viral. Reform UK’s success in the elections, securing 14% of the vote and winning five parliamentary seats, was attributed in part to Musk’s endorsement.
However, Musk’s relationship with Farage took an unexpected turn recently. In a surprising post on X, Musk wrote, “Reform Party needs new leadership. Farage doesn’t have what it takes.” The comment shocked many, including Farage himself, who had believed Musk was a steadfast ally.
Farage’s disappointment was evident. He had previously announced that Musk would provide financial backing to Reform UK to strengthen its position against the Labour and Conservative parties. The sudden shift in Musk’s stance left Farage bewildered, though he chose not to publicly criticize Musk’s change of heart. Instead, he expressed concern over Musk’s growing support for controversial activist Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known by his pseudonym Tommy Robinson, who is infamous for his anti-immigration and anti-Muslim rhetoric.
“I’m surprised and disappointed,” Farage said. “Elon is a brilliant individual, but I strongly disagree with his support for Tommy Robinson. That’s not the direction I want Reform UK to take.”
Norway: Prime Minister Urges Political Distance from Musk
Norway has now joined the list of countries voicing concerns about Elon Musk’s political influence. Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre expressed his unease in an interview with the national broadcaster NRK, saying, “It is deeply concerning when someone as wealthy and influential as Musk gets directly involved in another country’s politics. This should not be happening in democratic societies or among allies.”
Støre’s comments come amid reports that Musk has been engaging with right-wing political figures in Norway, potentially swaying public opinion ahead of upcoming elections. The Prime Minister emphasized the importance of maintaining a healthy distance between national politics and foreign influencers, especially those wielding significant economic and social media power.
“The only way to safeguard our democracy is for political leaders across the spectrum to collectively distance themselves from Elon Musk,” Støre added.
Musk’s Growing Global Influence
Elon Musk’s political endorsements and interventions are not limited to Europe. His global influence extends to various countries where his business ventures have a significant presence. His control over X gives him a powerful platform to shape narratives and public opinion, often stirring controversy in the process.
Critics argue that Musk’s actions blur the line between business and politics. As a business magnate, his ventures have a direct impact on economies worldwide. However, his political statements and endorsements raise ethical questions about the role of billionaires in democratic processes.
A New Era of Political Intervention?
As Donald Trump prepares to take office for his second term, the world watches with bated breath. While much attention is focused on Trump’s policies and their impact on global politics, the influence of his ally Elon Musk cannot be ignored.
From Germany to the UK to Norway, Musk’s involvement in internal political affairs has sparked debates about the ethical implications of foreign influencers meddling in national politics. Political leaders are now grappling with the challenge of balancing the influence of powerful individuals like Musk while safeguarding democratic processes.
Whether Musk’s actions will have a lasting impact on European politics remains to be seen. What is clear, however, is that the billionaire’s political interventions are causing ripples across the continent — and perhaps signaling a new era of political influence by global tech moguls.
