Elon Musk is set to host Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, in a live discussion this week. This highly anticipated conversation comes as Germany braces for a snap election on February 23, intensifying political tensions. Musk’s increasing alignment with anti-establishment movements has garnered attention. He particularly invested $250 million in Donald Trump’s 2024 re-election bid.
Musk’s Open Endorsement of AfD
Musk has openly endorsed the AfD, a party classified as right-wing extremist by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency (BfV). His criticism of Germany’s leadership has been blunt, referring to Chancellor Olaf Scholz as an “incompetent fool” and accusing German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier of being a “tyrant” for opposing the AfD. Musk hinted at the conversation on X, claiming the event would provoke backlash from critics. Weidel confirmed that she has been in touch with Musk’s office, signaling the growing intersection between Musk’s political stances and European far-right movements.
Discussion with @AfD leader and possible Chancellor of Germany @Alice_Weidel tomorrow https://t.co/Uhm2g1Fgzk
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 8, 2025
Alice Weidel: The Economist Behind AfD’s Political Rise
Alice Weidel, born in 1979, has had a unique political journey. She has a doctorate in economics and fluency in Mandarin and spent six years in China. She was working for the Bank of China before moving to Goldman Sachs and consulting roles. Weidel joined AfD in 2013, during its early eurosceptic phase, and has since become a central figure in its rise. Despite AfD’s traditional emphasis on “family values,” Weidel’s personal life, including her civil partnership with a Sri Lankan-born filmmaker, contrasts with the party’s ideology.
Alice Weidel admires former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. She advocates for tax cuts, welfare reductions, and privatization. She opposes Germany’s costly transition to a carbon-neutral economy. Under her leadership, the AfD has gained substantial traction, especially in state elections where it saw up to 32.8 percent of the vote. The party currently polls at 20 percent nationwide and has made Weidel its chancellor candidate for the 2025 federal elections, despite being isolated from all mainstream political parties.