Elon Musk speaks at Germanys AfD campaign launch as thousands protest the far-right party
CNNFEB 1
Germany: Elon Musk Addresses AfD Party's Campaign Launch
Above: Elon Musk (L) is seen on a large screen as Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, addresses an election campaign rally in Halle, eastern Germany on Jan. 25, 2025. Image copyright: Contributor/AFP via Getty Images
The Spin
Right narrative
The AfD represents Germany's best chance to preserve its cultural identity and break free from excessive bureaucracy and guilt over its past. The party stands for self-determination, protection of German values, and resistance against multiculturalism that threatens to dilute national identity.
Left narrative
The AfD's rise and Musk's support represent a dangerous shift toward far-right extremism that threatens democracy and minimizes historical atrocities. The massive protests across Germany demonstrate widespread public resistance against the party's ideology and its attempt to downplay Nazi-era crimes.