German Chancellor Olaf Scholz Dismisses Elon Musk's Insults

In a recently published interview with German weekly Stern, Chancellor Olaf Scholz addressed the barrage of insults directed at him by Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the social media platform X. Scholz's response? A resolute, “Don’t feed the troll.”

The comments from Musk, who has garnered substantial attention for his controversial political views, are seen as part of a larger trend wherein wealthy media figures openly express disdain for social democratic policies. Scholz remarked, “As Social Democrats, we have long been accustomed to the fact that rich media entrepreneurs often do not appreciate our political stance, and they’re not shy about voicing their opinions.”

Without missing a beat, Scholz made it clear that he has no intention of engaging with Musk. Not only is Musk backing the far-right party Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) ahead of their upcoming federal elections, but he is also set to host a live discussion with their lead candidate, Alice Weidel. “I don’t believe in courting Mr. Musk’s favor,” Scholz stated firmly. “The rule is: don’t feed the troll.”

Musk’s recent activities have sparked additional controversy. His endorsement of the AfD, a party known for its extremist factions and history of inflammatory comments, has raised eyebrows across Germany. Scholz pointedly criticized Musk’s support, saying, “What I find much more worrying than such insults is that Musk is supporting a party like the AfD, which promotes right-wing extremism, advocates for closer ties with Putin’s Russia, and aims to undermine transatlantic relations.”

Elon Musk has been using the platform X to amplify his political views, including a notable backing of Donald Trump's return to office and a growing influence in European politics. In November, Musk referred to Scholz as a “fool”, further igniting tensions. This public spat comes on the heels of a tumultuous collapse of Scholz’s center-left coalition government and tragic events, including a far-right-tinged attack in Germany that prompted widespread condemnation.

Meanwhile, Musk's political meddling extends beyond Germany. He has recently made headlines in the UK, calling for King Charles to dissolve parliament amid criticism surrounding child abuse cases. His provocative statements and financial promises, including rumors of a substantial donation to the Reform party, have left many uneasy about his influence in political matters.

As Germany prepares for its elections on February 23, the support for the AfD is gaining traction, placing them second in polls and complicating potential coalition-building for mainstream parties that have publicly rejected collaboration with the far-right party. Scholz’s strong assertions come at a critical time as he defends both his government and the integrity of Germany’s democratic process, stating, “Germany is a strong and stable democracy—no matter what Mr. Musk may say.”

Scholz's response not only reinforces his position as a leader unwilling to be swayed by external forces but also highlights the mounting concern over the intersection of social media influence and political realities. As global conversations about misinformation and political integrity heat up, all eyes will remain on Musk's ongoing activities and their implications for European politics.