Backlash as Elon Musk claims only far-right AfD can ‘save Germany’

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. In a post on X, Mr Musk’s social media platform, the mogul wrote that “only the AfD can save Germany”. Matthias Miersch, secretary-general of Mr Scholz’s Social Democrats, told the media outlet T-online that Germany did not need foreign influences or “Trumpism”, adding: “Stay out, Elon.” Earlier on Friday, the German government was asked whether Mr Musk’s comment would have any consequences for its own presence on X. Spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann noted that the German government has expressed concern about how X has developed since Mr Musk took over the social media site formerly known as Twitter, but has concluded time and again that it will stay “because it is an important medium to reach and inform people and it brings significant disadvantages if the government, or the chancellor, is not represented on relevant social media”. open image in gallery Elon Musk has repeatedly shared misinformation about UK politics on his social media platform X Reacting to Mr Musk’s endorsement, Alice Weidel, the AfD’s chancellor candidate, posted on X: “Yes! Her video was later reposted on Tommy Robinson’s X account alongside the message: “Make Europe Great Again.” open image in gallery Musk calls himself Donald Trump’s ‘First Buddy’ Mr Musk had already voiced support for the AfD last year, when he attacked the German government’s handling of illegal migration.