The Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, has persisted in expressing his disapproval of billionaire Elon Musk, characterizing his recent actions as “disgusting” in his latest remarks regarding the tech entrepreneur.
In an interview with CNN on Tuesday, Scholz criticized Musk’s involvement in the forthcoming February elections in Germany and responded to the billionaire’s suggestion for Germans to “move past” the guilt associated with the Holocaust during a rally that occurred over the weekend.
“I completely disagree with what Elon Musk is doing,” Scholz stated, emphasizing that while it is not unusual for media owners to engage in German politics—a practice that has been ongoing since the “19th century”—the endorsement of “right-wing politicians” is a recent development.
“What is different now is that he is advocating for right-wing politicians across Europe, and this is truly disgusting,” Scholz elaborated. “This is detrimental to the democratic evolution within the entirety of the European Union.”
Musk has consistently shown his support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) amidst the nation’s election campaign, engaging in a discussion with its leader, Alice Weidel, on X in January, and participating virtually in an AfD campaign rally last Saturday.
At the rally, which was held just days prior to the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, Musk addressed the audience, stating that there is “frankly, an overly intense focus on historical guilt, and we should progress beyond that.”
“It is important to take pride in German culture and values, rather than allowing them to be diluted by a sort of multiculturalism,” Musk asserted further. “I do not say this lightly when I express that the fate of civilization may depend on this election.”
“Therefore, I am extremely frustrated with Elon Musk’s support for the far-right and his inadequate response to the tragedy of the numerous Jewish lives lost,” Scholz told CNN. “This is the historical responsibility we will carry into the future.”
The Chancellor also criticized Musk last week when his controversial hand gesture at an inaugural rally on January 20 sparked alarms for its resemblance to a Nazi salute.
“In Europe, we have freedom of speech, and everyone is free to express their opinions, even if they are billionaires,” Scholz remarked the following day at an event in Davos. “However, what we cannot condone is when this promotes extreme right ideologies, and I want to reiterate this point.”
In the past, Musk has taken aim at Scholz, claiming he should “resign immediately” and labeling him “an incompetent fool” in a December X post.
The federal election in Germany is scheduled for February 23.
