Elon Musk has ignited a media storm after alleging that Alice Weidel, the leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has a gay partner from Sri Lanka. The remarks, made in a commentary for the German newspaper Welt am Sonntag, come amidst heated debates surrounding Germany’s upcoming parliamentary elections.
Musk’s statement defended the AfD against accusations of extremism. “The Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last spark of hope for this country,” Musk wrote. “It is clearly false to portray the AfD as a right-wing extremist party, considering that party leader Alice Weidel has a lesbian partner from Sri Lanka! Does that sound like Hitler to you?”
The comments have drawn widespread criticism, with many accusing Musk of trivializing the AfD’s controversial policies and using a politician’s personal life as a political shield.
Musk’s endorsement of the AfD marks the second time he has publicly supported the party, escalating concerns about his influence on political discourse. His commentary led to backlash within the Axel Springer publishing group, which owns Welt am Sonntag. In the wake of the controversy, one of the newspaper’s editors announced her resignation.
The episode has sparked a broader debate in Germany about the boundaries of free speech and the ethical responsibilities of public figures. Critics argue that Musk’s remarks distract from substantive issues surrounding the AfD, including its stance on immigration and climate policies, which have polarized German voters.
Alice Weidel has previously been open about her personal life but has yet to comment on Musk’s statement. Meanwhile, the AfD has welcomed the attention, calling it a “moment of clarity” about the party’s modern values.
The controversy adds to the challenges faced by German voters as they prepare to head to the polls, with the AfD’s growing influence raising questions about the future direction of Europe’s largest economy.
