Summary:
- A deadly car attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, killed two people, including a toddler, and injured dozens, prompting widespread outrage and security concerns.
- Elon Musk called German Chancellor Olaf Scholz an “incompetent fool” on his platform X, demanding his resignation over the incident.
- Musk further stirred controversy by endorsing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, calling it “Germany’s savior” ahead of the country’s February 2025 elections.
- German officials criticized Musk’s comments as interference in national politics, with Scholz dismissing them as poor political advice.
Billionaire Elon Musk has sparked controversy by calling for the resignation of German Chancellor Olaf Scholz following a tragic attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany. The incident, which occurred on December 20, involved a car ramming into a crowd of festive marketgoers, leaving two people dead, including a toddler, and injuring dozens more. Authorities have arrested the suspect, a 50-year-old Saudi doctor who has lived in Germany since 2006. The motive for the attack remains unclear, but it is being treated as a potential terrorist act.
In a post on his social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Musk labeled Scholz an “incompetent fool” and demanded his immediate resignation. He further escalated tensions by endorsing the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, calling it “Germany’s savior.” The AfD, known for its anti-immigration stance and controversial rhetoric, is currently polling second ahead of Germany’s snap elections scheduled for February 23, 2025. Musk’s comments come at a politically sensitive time as Germany navigates the fallout from the collapse of Scholz’s center-left coalition government earlier this year.
Musk’s remarks have drawn sharp criticism from German officials and political figures. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach described Musk’s intervention as “undignified and highly problematic,” accusing him of meddling in Germany’s political discourse. Christian Lindner, leader of the pro-business Free Democrats (FDP), responded directly to Musk on X, emphasizing that while migration control is important, the AfD represents far-right extremism and is not aligned with democratic or business values. Chancellor Scholz dismissed Musk’s comments during a press conference, stating that “freedom of speech applies to everyone, including multimillionaires,” but added that such remarks do not amount to “good political advice.”
The attack in Magdeburg has reignited concerns about public safety during the holiday season. The incident occurred at one of Germany’s popular Christmas markets, which draw large crowds annually. Videos shared on social media captured the chaos as a black car plowed through the market stalls before being stopped by authorities. The state premier of Saxony-Anhalt, Reiner Haseloff, confirmed that all local hospitals were prepared for a mass casualty event and expressed condolences to the victims’ families.
This tragedy has also brought back painful memories of past attacks in Germany. In 2016, a similar vehicle-ramming attack at a Berlin Christmas market claimed 13 lives and injured dozens more. Authorities in Germany and abroad have since heightened security measures around public gatherings during the festive season.
Musk’s endorsement of the AfD has added another layer of controversy to his statements. The party has been widely criticized for its far-right ideology and anti-immigration policies. Elements within the AfD have been flagged as extremist by Germany’s domestic intelligence agencies. Despite its rising popularity in opinion polls, mainstream political parties have vowed not to cooperate with the AfD at the national level.
This is not the first time Musk has waded into European politics or voiced support for controversial figures and movements. Recently, he was seen meeting with UK right-wing politician Nigel Farage and reportedly discussed financial support for Farage’s Reform UK party. Musk’s growing influence in global political discourse has raised questions about his role as both a business leader and political commentator.
As Germany prepares for its upcoming elections amidst economic challenges and political uncertainty, Musk’s comments have further polarized public opinion. The incident in Magdeburg has underscored the urgent need for unity and effective governance during this critical period in German politics.
Source: Reuters
