Tech

Elon Musk’s X factor: How the tech billionaire is fuelling political fires in Europe – Times of India

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21 hours ago

January 8, 2025

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European leaders are increasingly alarmed by Musk’s foray into their domestic affairs.

In a series of provocative moves in last few weeks, Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a close ally of US President-elect Donald Trump, has thrust himself into the heart of European political discourse, leveraging his social media platform X to critique European politicians and support far-right movements.
Driving the news
Musk has launched a barrage of incendiary posts targeting European leaders, backing far-right parties, and questioning democratic processes.
In Germany, Musk’s endorsement of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of a crucial February snap election has drawn widespread condemnation. The AfD, often criticized for its anti-immigration stance and ties to extremist movements, has been declared partially extremist by Germany’s intelligence agency. Musk went as far as describing the AfD as “the last spark of hope for this country.”
Meanwhile, in the UK, Musk has stirred controversy by accusing Prime Minister Keir Starmer of complicity in historic child abuse cases during his tenure as chief prosecutor, labeling him “despicable” and calling for his imprisonment. Musk’s posts have dominated headlines, forcing Starmer to refocus from policy discussions to defend his record.
Why it matters

Musk’s social media interventions are reshaping Europe’s political discourse, amplifying fringe narratives, and presenting a stark example of how tech moguls can wield global influence. His actions raise questions about the intersection of wealth, technology, and democracy.
Disrupting elections: Musk’s endorsement of far-right parties and criticism of European leaders could energize fringe movements, threatening to destabilize already fragile political systems. In Germany, his intervention comes as AfD gains momentum, polling strongly in a country grappling with economic challenges and political discontent.
Diplomatic tensions: European leaders are struggling to balance criticism of Musk with the need to maintain a working relationship with Trump’s incoming administration. Publicly confronting Musk risks provoking further attacks and jeopardizing US-EU relations.
As per a CNN report, Musk’s attacks on foreign elected officials risk being perceived as an effort by the incoming US administration to meddle in the politics of allied democracies. His actions raise questions about whether he is acting on Trump’s behalf, serving as a disruptive force aligned with Trump’s goals, or potentially creating tensions with the president-elect as he shapes his global agenda.
Trump’s tolerance for Musk’s aggressive attacks on allied leaders signals that the months ahead could be even more turbulent for America’s allies than during his first term. This dynamic unfolded Monday when Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced his resignation. While Trudeau had already lost the confidence of Canadians and his Liberal Party, Trump’s threat of a 25% tariff deepened the political crisis in Ottawa and likely accelerated the departure of a leader Trump derisively referred to as the “governor” of America’s 51st state, the CNN report said.
Regulatory implications: Musk’s provocations are testing Europe’s ability to enforce its strict regulatory framework on digital platforms, including the Digital Services Act, which aims to curb misinformation and extremist content.

He’s not just some troll. He’s the world’s richest man, owns some of the globe’s most strategic and influential businesses, and is wielding a mighty social media network. Musk is highlighting his enormous influence as a populist force galvanizing political provocateurs as a kind of one-man supranational non-state power.

An article in CNN

Zoom in: Musk’s influence on German politics
Musk’s actions represent a new era of political and diplomatic friction, where technology magnates increasingly blur the lines between personal ideology, corporate interests, and global influence.
Musk’s support for the AfD, including hosting a livestream with its co-chair Alice Weidel and writing an op-ed praising the party, has alarmed German leaders. His posts, which reach over 200 million followers, amplify the AfD’s anti-immigration and Eurosceptic platform.

Musk’s endorsement is seen as a game-changer by AfD officials, who believe his global stature could legitimize their movement. Leif-Erik Holm, a senior AfD lawmaker, welcomed Musk’s intervention as a counter to “negative campaigns” against the party.
However,Chancellor Olaf Scholz, who has faced personal attacks from Musk, described the billionaire’s backing of AfD as “worrying” and accused him of undermining transatlantic ties. Green Party leader Robert Habeck added, “Hands off our democracy, Mr Musk!”
Musk’s UK interventions
Over the past week, Musk has unleashed a series of provocative posts on his social media platform X, including calls for Prime Minister Keir Starmer to be imprisoned and for the release of right-wing activist Tommy Robinson from jail.

In a surprising turn, Musk also called for Nigel Farage, a former ally and Trump confidant, to be replaced as leader of the Reform UK party.
On Monday, he escalated further by pinning a post to his profile asking followers to vote on whether “America should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government.”
Starmer, who largely avoided naming Musk during press briefings, focused instead on the broader issue of far-right misinformation. “When the poison of the far-right leads to threats, a line has been crossed,” Starmer said.
Musk’s involvement has also exposed divisions within British politics. Some Conservative politicians, including leader Kemi Badenoch, have echoed Musk’s calls for a new inquiry into the abuse cases, amplifying the issue for political gain.
What they’re saying

Jonas Gahr Store, Norwegian Prime Minister: “This is not how things should be between democracies and allies. Musk’s wealth and access to social media make his interventions deeply worrying.”
Robert Habeck, German Vice Chancellor: “The combination of wealth, control over information, and willingness to ignore rules is a frontal attack on democracy.”
Jess Phillips, UK minister: “Those cheerleading Tommy Robinson are trying to get a vicarious thrill from street violence.”
“Will Musk be carrying out Trump’s foreign policy agenda, acting as a personal ambassador of Trump to everywhere?” Lindsay Gorman, managing director and senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund, told CNN. “Or will Musk be advancing his own vision for global affairs, which may align with Trump in some ways, but not in others. And then what will be the power dynamics between those two?”
José Ignacio Torreblanca of the European Council on Foreign Relations told the Wall Street Journal: “Musk sees himself as a savior of democracy in the US. He now wants to extend that mission to Europe.”
France’s Emmanuel Macron has echoed these concerns. Without naming Musk, Macron criticized “the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world” for backing “a new international reactionary movement” and intervening in democratic elections.

The challenges of curbing Musk’s influence
Despite his vast reach, Musk’s interventions are not without limits. In the UK, a YouGov poll shows only 26% of Britons view Musk favorably. His platform, X, has also seen a decline in European users, with a drop of 5 million active accounts over the past year.
EU regulators are now considering expanding investigations into X under the Digital Services Act. Thomas Regnier, a spokesperson for the European Commission, warned that Musk’s livestream with AfD leaders could violate EU laws. “Freedom of expression has limits,” Regnier said, adding that the platform could face fines of up to 6% of global revenue.
What’s next
As Europe braces for Musk’s next move, leaders are exploring ways to counter his influence while safeguarding their ties with the US under Trump’s leadership.
Regulatory push: The EU is intensifying its scrutiny of X under its new digital regulations. A potential clash between Musk and European regulators could set the tone for future tech governance.
Public backlash: Musk’s actions could galvanize European voters against the far-right, as mainstream parties frame his interventions as external meddling.
Long-term implications: Musk’s entanglement in European politics could encourage other tech magnates to follow suit, raising urgent questions about the role of private power in public affairs.
(With inputs from agencies)