Musk-Weidel interview: Rallying point for far-right supporters and pro-Kremlin messaging

This event, scheduled to take place on Musk’s platform X, has already sparked enthusiasm among far-right supporters in Germany and beyond. It has also fueled anti-EU and pro-Russian propaganda, amplifying related narratives.

Insight News revealed how news websites have disseminated Kremlin-friendly content, providing positive coverage to both Elon Musk and Alice Weidel, thus promoting these ideologies.

Musk-AfD cooperation: catalyst for far-right mobilization

Elon Musk, owner of the popular social networking platform X (formerly Twitter), is increasing his influence in European politics, particularly among far-right groups. Beyond promoting these groups' narratives, Musk's actions align with Russia’s goal of weakening the EU and undermining Western unity. European leaders have expressed concern about this relationship, seeing it as a dangerous blend of politics, technology, and foreign disinformation.

The AfD, a party with strong anti-immigration and nationalist views, has long aimed to expand its influence in German politics. Musk’s open endorsement, calling it Germany’s last chance to avoid "economic and cultural decay," gives the AfD much-needed credibility.

Politicians in Europe have raised alarms over this direct involvement, fearing foreign interference in Germany’s upcoming elections. Given that the interview takes place shortly before critical legislative elections in February, the timing is particularly sensitive. A survey indicates that most Germans believe the Musk-Weidel conversation could boost the AfD’s visibility and potentially influence the election in favor of the far-right.

Propaganda media and the Musk-Weidel dynamic

Russia has a long-standing interest in amplifying far-right movements across Europe. Pro-Russian media outlets and propaganda networks have welcomed the Musk-Weidel interview, framing it as a victory for “patriots in Europe” and a setback for liberal democratic forces in the EU.

Multiple Russian and German pro-Russian Telegram channels have promoted the Musk-Weidel interview, amplifying Weidel’s anti-EU rhetoric. Some of these channels include: DeFreundschaftRu, deutscherussischeheimat, matroschka_today, and GHZFriedrichMaik, as well as pro-Kremlin German news sites such as DE RT, uncut_news, and unzensiert.

The German edition of the Russian disinformation site Pravda has been particularly active, publishing numerous stories promoting anti-EU and anti-Western narratives aligned with Kremlin interests, such as:

“The EU is weak, it is a nobody, a half-dead zombie, its threats are without substance. With Trump behind him, Musk definitely has the upper hand. The EU Commission will only make a fool of itself, everyone will.”

• https://deutsch.news-pravda.com/world/2025/01/07/281282.html 
• https://deutsch.news-pravda.com/eu/2025/01/08/281883.html 
• https://deutsch.news-pravda.com/world/2025/01/07/281202.html 
• https://deutsch.news-pravda.com/world/2025/01/06/280514.html 
• https://deutsch.news-pravda.com/world/2025/01/06/280446.html 
• https://deutsch.news-pravda.com/world/2025/01/05/280170.html 
• https://www.pravda-tv.com/2025/01/den-empoerten-zum-trotz-musk-legt-nach-die-moral-von-brd-medien/ 
• https://www.pravda-tv.com/2025/01/der-voelkerrechtliche-status-deutschlands-und-die-kanzlerakte/ 

Russian propaganda outlets have seized upon the announcement, framing it as a blow to European political leaders and a boost to far-right politicians. For example, Russian official Alexei Pushkov predicted that the Musk-Weidel interview could shake up German politics.

“The interview of Alice Weidel, co-chairwoman of the Alternative for Germany party and candidate for chancellor of Germany, with American billionaire Ilon Musk could hit German politicians hard, said Alexei Pushkov, head of Russia’s Federation Council’s commission on information policy.”

• https://static.ren.tv/news/politika/1296183-v-sovfede-nazvali-udarom-dlia-politikov-frg-interviu-sopredsedatelia-adg 
• https://lenta.ru/news/2025/01/06/pushkov-zayavil-o-shokirovavshem-germaniyu-reshenii-maska/ 

The German edition of RT highlights the upcoming interview, stating: “Weidel’s spokesman Daniel Tapp announced that: “The main topics will be freedom of expression and the AfD’s ideas for a sustainable Germany.”

• https://de.rt.com/inland/231637-weidel-freuen-uns-sehr-auf 

Another German-language manipulative outlet, PiNews, promotes the interview with the headline: “Alice Weidel’s US reckoning: ‘Slaves” of the USA,” remarking that “Anyone who finds Alice Weidel’s assessment too harsh should be reminded of the eye-opening bestseller “The Only World Power” by Zbigniew Brzeziski.”.

• https://www.pi-news.net/2025/01/usa-abrechnung-von-alice-weidel-sklaven-der-usa/

The pro-Russian platform Journalisten Watch has made several announcements about the meeting between Musk and Weidel.

“Now the Green agitators, ideological fascists, and anti-democrats are really going crazy: Since the date of the Musk-Weidel conversation on Twitter was confirmed as X-Space for January 9, they have been calling with ever more ruthless openness for censorship or, ideally, the complete shutdown of X (formerly Twitter).”

• https://journalistenwatch.com/2025/01/04/eu-und-gruene-meinungsfaschisten-wollen-musk-weidel-treffen-zensieren-oder-gleich-verbieten/ 

“Total escalation: This is how green politicians want to prevent the Musk & Weidel interview!”

• https://journalistenwatch.com/2025/01/03/%f0%9f%92%a5totale-eskalation-so-wollen-gruene-politiker-das-musk-weidel-interview-verhindern/ 

“Alice Weidel’s conversation with Elon Musk on January 9th is eagerly awaited. Only the political and media establishment is fuming: so consistently had they prevented AfD leader Alice Weidel from presenting her program (like the other candidates for chancellor) in television interviews…”

• https://report24.news/mainstream-schaut-in-die-roehre-alice-weidel-im-interview-zu-ihrem-x-talk-mit-elon-musk/ 

“A live conversation with AfD leader Alice Weidel is to follow soon, following the example of his conversation with Trump in August. In an announcement, Musk described Weidel as a “possible” chancellor.”

• https://deutsche-wirtschafts-nachrichten.de/713673/elon-musk-afd-und-europa 

“First the EU tried to stop me from having an online conversation with President Donald Trump. Now they want to stop people from hearing a conversation with Alice Weidel, who could be the next Chancellor of Germany. These people really hate democracy!!”

• https://www.freiewelt.net/nachricht/musk-ueber-eu-diese-leute-hassen-die-demokratie-10099007 

The German pro-Kremlin outlet Weltwoche has also joined the campaign, criticizing mainstream media while attempting to legitimize anti-EU and pro-Kremlin narratives.

“What the mainstream media is demonstrating in Austria has already been demonstrated in Germany, Italy, France, and the USA. They write brilliantly outside the reality, twist the terms, and indulge their personal preferences and their personal hatred. And they just don’t stop.”

• https://weltwoche.ch/daily/kickl-weidel-meloni-le-pen-trump-medien-schreiben-sich-fulminant-ins-abseits-und-merken-es-immer-noch-nicht/ 
• https://weltwoche.ch/daily/vorteil-fuer-die-afd-eu-prueft-rechtliche-schritte-gegen-x-inhaber-elon-musk/ 

Other German news outlets, previously identified as platforms for pro-Kremlin and anti-Western content, have also shown support.

“Live interview between Elon Musk and Alice Weidel eagerly awaited”

• https://www.epochtimes.de/politik/deutschland/live-interview-zwischen-elon-musk-und-alice-weidel-mit-spannung-erwartet-a4996138.html 
• https://www.epochtimes.de/politik/deutschland/live-talk-weidel-und-musk-wohl-am-9-januar-a4992279.html 

“Slaves don’t fight: AfD politician Weidel speaks exclusively with The American Conservative”

• https://uncutnews.ch/sklaven-kaempfen-nicht-afd-politikerin-weidel-spricht-exklusiv-mit-the-american-conservative/ 

The European media landscape: far-right amplification

In addition to Russian media, far-right German outlets have also championed the Musk-Weidel interview. These include Junge Freiheit and RT Germany, which have framed the event as an opportunity for the AfD to present its views, absent from public broadcasting in Germany.

Pro-Kremlin outlets such as Weltwoche also joined the chorus, criticizing mainstream media and promoting "alternative" outlets that echo anti-EU and pro-Russian stances. The focus shifted to the idea that the AfD, with Musk's support, could disrupt the established political order in Germany and Europe.

Other pro-Russian media outlets like PiNews and Journalisten Watch have aggressively promoted the interview, framing it as an act of defiance against liberal forces in Europe.

Global resonance: French pro-Kremlin media reactions

The Musk-Weidel interview has also sparked a reaction in French pro-Kremlin outlets. These media have focused on anti-EU rhetoric and criticism of political leaders across the EU, with outlets like Reseau International, Resistance Republicaine, and Egalite et Reconciliation framing the event as a significant challenge to "rotten Western democratic regimes." The narrative also includes familiar themes of global conspiracies, financial elites, and the malign influence of figures like George Soros.

“Billionaires George Soros and Bill Gates have been interfering in European politics for decades, spending huge sums to influence elections!”

• https://planetes360.fr/elon-musk-vient-dapprouver-sur-x-une-reponse-aux-attaques-de-macron-qui-le-met-completement-ko/ 

In another example, Egalite et Reconciliation framed the situation as a global revolt against globalism, with Musk positioned as a key figure in toppling established democratic powers.

“Macron’s insult to Elon Musk: “Kid, you’re just a reactionary! Na!” An underachieving banker thinks he can humiliate the man of global success! Yet this banker’s credentials include having led France into financial bankruptcy, and not only that!”

• https://resistancerepublicaine.com/2025/01/07/https-mechantreac-blogspot-com-2019-05-quest-ce-quun-reac-html/ 
• https://resistancerepublicaine.com/2025/01/08/panique-en-allemagne-avant-la-tres-attendue-conversation-entre-musk-et-alice-weidel/ 

These outlets also capitalized on the interview to promote narratives about declining Western leadership, such as this article: Leadership crisis in Western Europe, which suggested that Alice Weidel could become the most popular candidate for German Chancellor.

“Leadership crisis in Western Europe. Party leader Alice Weidel has become the most popular candidate for German Chancellor, with 24% of Germans voting for her. The richest man on the planet, Elon Musk, put it very clearly: “Europe and Germany are in decline, not least because of the falling birth rate.””

• https://reseauinternational.net/crise-du-leadership-en-europe-occidentale/ 

European Leaders Respond

European leaders have swiftly condemned Musk’s actions. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Musk’s interference, calling it an unacceptable breach of Germany’s democratic processes. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and French President Emmanuel Macron have gone further, accusing Musk of supporting a “Reactionary International” bent on undermining liberal democracy.

These politicians have raised concerns about the unchecked power of social media platforms, warning that such influence poses a serious threat to democratic institutions. The European Commission has emphasized the need to safeguard elections from external interference, and calls for more stringent regulation of platforms like X are intensifying.

Polling and public sentiment: AfD's growing influence?

Polls suggest that Musk’s endorsement and his platform’s engagement with the AfD are striking a chord with German voters. A sizable portion of the electorate believes that Musk’s interview with Alice Weidel will significantly boost the AfD’s standing in the upcoming February elections.

This effect is particularly noticeable in Germany's eastern regions, where the AfD already has strong backing. Musk’s involvement could extend the party’s appeal to younger voters and those disillusioned with mainstream political parties, potentially shifting the political landscape.

Critical moment for European democracy

Elon Musk’s actions in Germany exemplify how various destabilizing forces are converging, including the rise of far-right populism, foreign propaganda, and the strategic use of social media. Musk’s support for far-right movements, whether intentional or inadvertent, plays directly into Russia’s agenda by engaging with the AfD.

For Europe’s leaders and institutions, this situation poses a significant challenge. The stakes are high as the German elections approach — not only for Germany but for the very future of European democracy. 

The Musk-Weidel interview will undoubtedly become a pivotal event, testing the ability of democracies to navigate the complex intersections of politics, technology, and foreign influence.