Elon Musk has publicly endorsed or backed AfD leader Alice Weidel.
Claim reviewed: Elon Musk has publicly endorsed or backed AfD leader Alice Weidel.
Elon Musk publicly supported Alice Weidel and the AfD, including praising her during a January 2025 livestream, speaking at an AfD campaign event and later…
Verdict: True
Key evidence
- Multiple January 2025 reports say Musk publicly praised Weidel and hosted her in a live X conversation ahead of Germany’s federal election.
- Musk appeared at an AfD campaign event alongside Weidel and described the party in strongly favorable terms.
- Musk later called Weidel to congratulate her after the AfD’s February 2025 election performance, reinforcing that his support was public and ongoing.
Detailed analysis
Elon Musk publicly endorsed the AfD and its chancellor candidate, Alice Weidel, before Germany’s February 2025 federal election. During a livestream on X in January, Musk praised Weidel and hosted her for an extended conversation, which multiple reports described as an endorsement or significant public boost for her campaign. (SOURCES_1, 2, 5, 8, 9) Musk’s support was not limited to the livestream. He appeared at an AfD campaign event in January 2025, where he said the party was Germany’s best hope and addressed a crowd alongside Weidel. The Guardian also reported that Musk had endorsed Weidel at her campaign launch. (SOURCES_3, 7) After Germany’s February 2025 election, Musk called Weidel to congratulate her on the AfD’s performance. That later contact provides additional evidence that his backing extended beyond a single interview. (SOURCES_4, 6) The supplied sources differ in emphasis. Some describe Musk as endorsing the AfD, while others specifically characterize his actions as endorsing or backing Weidel herself. Taken together, the livestream praise, joint campaign appearance and post-election congratulations support the narrower claim that Musk publicly endorsed or backed Alice Weidel.
Sources
- Elon Musk heaps praise on AfD’s Alice Weidel during live talk on X | Elon Musk | The Guardian
- Elon Musk and far-right German leader Alice Weidel endorse each other in interview
- Alice Weidel: the far-right banker Elon Musk wants as German chancellor - podcast | Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) | The Guardian
- Elon Musk congratulates AfD’s Alice Weidel on far-right gains in German election | Germany | The Guardian
- Elon Musk's chat with German far-right AfD candidate draws alarm : NPR
- Elon Musk Congratulates AfD Leader on Germany’s Election Results - The New York Times
- Musk tells Germans to get over 'past guilt' in speech to far-right AfD rally - POLITICO
- Elon Musk boosts German far right party with live event on X