Elon Musk Backs Germany’s AfD in Opinion Piece for Major Newspaper

BERLIN, GERMANY — Elon Musk, the influential American tech entrepreneur, has stirred controversy by expressing support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party in an op-ed for the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag. The opinion piece, written by Musk, has sparked fierce debate and led to the resignation of the editor responsible for the opinion page.

In his piece, Musk argues that AfD’s anti-immigration stance and focus on traditional German values resonate with a significant portion of the German population. He suggest that the party’s views, while radical, reflect the concerns of many ordinary Germans.

"The AfD’s views on immigration and cultural heritage are shared by a considerable number of Germans," Musk wrote. "It’s important to acknowledge these concerns and engage in open dialogue, rather than dismissing them as extremist."

The publication of Musk’s opinion has caused an uproar in Germany, with many criticizing AfD’s far-right platform and questioning Musk’s endorsement. In response to the backlash, the Welt am Sonntag editor in charge of the opinion page, Ulrike Hermann, announced her resignation, stating that she was not aware of the content of Musk’s piece before publication.

AfD, the third-largest party in the German parliament, has welcomed Musk’s support, viewing it as a validation of their political stance. However, many political analysts and observers have condemned Musk’s endorsement, arguing that it lends credibility to a party with anti-immigrant and far-right views.

Musk, who is chief executive of SpaceX and Tesla, has previously courted controversy for his political views and statements on Twitter. His statements on a range of topics, from artificial intelligence to political asylum, have been met with both praise and criticism.