Alice Weidel, the chancellor candidate for Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, engaged in a peculiar and controversial conversation with billionaire Elon Musk on the platform X. The discussion, which lasted over an hour, featured moments of awkwardness, misleading statements, and mutual agreement on various topics, leaving political analysts divided over its impact on Weidel’s campaign, reports DW.
The exchange began with Musk inaccurately claiming that Weidel was the most popular candidate for chancellor in Germany, while polls indicate AfD trails behind the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) by 11 points. Furthermore, Weidel ranks last among chancellor candidates, with a mere 20% approval rating according to a recent infratest dimap poll.
A Strange Mix of Topics
The conversation spanned diverse subjects, from Germany’s energy policies and immigration to the war in Ukraine and Middle East tensions. Musk and Weidel shared common ground on nuclear energy and criticized Germany’s bureaucracy. However, Musk’s claims, such as “theft is legal in California,” and Weidel’s assertion that “Adolf Hitler was a communist,” sparked criticism and ridicule online.
While Musk expressed belief in renewable energy, Weidel maintained her skepticism, calling for the reopening of nuclear plants in Germany.
Analysts Question Effectiveness
Political communication strategist Bendix Higelmann noted that Weidel missed an opportunity to present herself as a sophisticated and educated leader of the new right. Her performance, marked by occasional linguistic struggles in English, contrasted sharply with Musk’s conversational style.
“This was not comparable to Donald Trump’s laid-back, engaging appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast,” Higelmann remarked.
Appeal Beyond Germany?
Weidel’s primary audience may not have been German voters but rather right-wing circles in the United States. According to political scientist Philip Adorf, this interaction was likely aimed at aligning AfD with American right-wing movements, possibly signaling collaboration with figures close to Donald Trump.
Philosophical Turns and Public Reception
Toward the end of the discussion, the tone shifted to philosophical themes, with Weidel asking Musk if he believed in God. Musk offered a response rooted in physics and existentialism, prompting Weidel to describe his views as “beautiful.”
Despite the broader philosophical turn, analysts note that the conversation did little to highlight AfD’s core platform on immigration—a key focus of the party.
Whether this unusual interaction benefits Weidel’s campaign remains uncertain. However, the event underscored AfD’s ongoing efforts to rebrand as a more moderate political force.
