Ally of Scholz cautions US about potential tension in relations due to Musk's comments
Rolf Mutzenich of the SPD has cautioned that Elon Musk's verbal assaults on German leaders could potentially jeopardize US-German relations. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
Rolf Mutzenich, the head of Germany’s Social Democratic Party parliamentary group, has cautioned that Elon Musk’s criticisms of German leaders could damage the relationship between Berlin and Washington.
In an interview with Spiegel on Wednesday, Mutzenich condemned Musk for his attacks on German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Musk labeled Steinmeier an “anti-democratic tyrant” and predicted defeat for Scholz, whom he derogatorily referred to as a “fool” and “Oaf Schitz.” Furthermore, he expressed support for Germany’s far-right and anti-immigration party, Alternative for Germany, calling it “the last spark of hope for this country.”
Mutzenich asserted that Musk, a notable ally of President-elect Donald Trump, is “crossing a line between friendly states” while defending Steinmeier. He emphasized that as Germany’s head of state under international law, attacks on Steinmeier are attacks on all citizens.
He also called on Berlin to clarify whether Musk’s ongoing “disrespect, defamation, and interference” reflect the position of the incoming Trump administration.
Earlier, German officials suggested that Musk’s comments could be a possible attempt to sway Germany’s upcoming snap parliamentary elections scheduled for February. Scholz’s coalition government recently fell apart due to disputes over Ukraine aid, economic reforms, and climate policy, culminating in a vote of no confidence and parliamentary dissolution in December.
During Trump’s first term, US-German relations faced significant strains over various issues, including Trump’s criticism of Germany’s trade surplus with the US and his threats to impose tariffs on German cars. He often accused Berlin of not meeting NATO’s 2% GDP defense spending target and labeled Germany as overly dependent on US military support. Additionally, Trump opposed Germany’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, which was sabotaged in 2022 following the conflict in Ukraine, arguing that it heightened the EU’s energy dependence on Moscow.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
In an interview with Spiegel on Wednesday, Mutzenich condemned Musk for his attacks on German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Musk labeled Steinmeier an “anti-democratic tyrant” and predicted defeat for Scholz, whom he derogatorily referred to as a “fool” and “Oaf Schitz.” Furthermore, he expressed support for Germany’s far-right and anti-immigration party, Alternative for Germany, calling it “the last spark of hope for this country.”
Mutzenich asserted that Musk, a notable ally of President-elect Donald Trump, is “crossing a line between friendly states” while defending Steinmeier. He emphasized that as Germany’s head of state under international law, attacks on Steinmeier are attacks on all citizens.
He also called on Berlin to clarify whether Musk’s ongoing “disrespect, defamation, and interference” reflect the position of the incoming Trump administration.
Earlier, German officials suggested that Musk’s comments could be a possible attempt to sway Germany’s upcoming snap parliamentary elections scheduled for February. Scholz’s coalition government recently fell apart due to disputes over Ukraine aid, economic reforms, and climate policy, culminating in a vote of no confidence and parliamentary dissolution in December.
During Trump’s first term, US-German relations faced significant strains over various issues, including Trump’s criticism of Germany’s trade surplus with the US and his threats to impose tariffs on German cars. He often accused Berlin of not meeting NATO’s 2% GDP defense spending target and labeled Germany as overly dependent on US military support. Additionally, Trump opposed Germany’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project, which was sabotaged in 2022 following the conflict in Ukraine, arguing that it heightened the EU’s energy dependence on Moscow.
Frederick R Cook contributed to this report for TROIB News
