Elon Musk surprised attendees at Germany's AfD (Alternative für Deutschland) election rally in Halle, Eastern Germany on Saturday. This was his second public endorsement of the far-right party in as many weeks. Speaking to a crowd of 4,500 people alongside party leader Alice Weidel, Musk emphasized the importance of preserving German culture and safeguarding the German populace.
"It's good to be proud of German culture, German values, and not to lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything," Musk expressed during the event.
Musk had recently stirred controversy by making a gesture reminiscent of a Nazi salute during U.S. President Donald Trump's inaugural celebrations. However, on this occasion, he advocated for moving beyond the guilt associated with Germany's Nazi past, saying "children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great grandparents."
Addressing concerns about the suppression of speech under the German government, Musk voiced support for the AfD, stating, "I'm very excited for the AfD, I think you're really the best hope for Germany...fight for a great future for Germany," to onlookers.
In response, Weidel commended Musk, drawing parallels with the Republicans in the United States and calling for her supporters to "make Germany great again." Despite inclement weather, anti-far right demonstrators gathered in sizable numbers in Berlin and Cologne, with up to 100,000 assembling around Berlin's Brandenburg Gate and around 20,000 in Cologne, including individuals of all ages bearing colorful umbrellas.