Merkel 'ruining' Germany, ‘Hitlerian’ censorship in Ukraine conflict: Highlights from Musk’s discussion with AfD leader
Elon Musk recently hosted a live-streamed conversation with Alice Weidel, co-leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD), on the platform X. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The billionaire engaged in a lengthy discussion with right-wing politician Alice Weidel on Thursday evening.
Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk hosted a conversation with Alice Weidel, co-leader of the right-wing Alternative for Germany party. As many as 150 experts were anticipated to monitor the live-streamed event on X for potential breaches of Germany’s election laws, according to PMG.
Musk stirred controversy in Berlin previously by commending AfD’s policies, notably its stringent immigration stance. During his dialogue with Weidel, he reiterated his assertion that “only AfD can save Germany” as the nation approaches the 2025 parliamentary election.
Weidel criticized former Chancellor Angela Merkel for her “open-doors policy” during the 2015 migrant crisis, a period during which Germany accepted roughly 1 million asylum seekers from Africa and the Middle East. She declared that Merkel “basically ruined our country,” arguing that the phaseout of affordable nuclear energy “destroyed the backbone” of the German economy.
According to Weidel, Germany has decommissioned its nuclear facilities, making it the only industrial nation to do so. Following the 2011 decision by the German parliament to close the plants after the Fukushima disaster in Japan, the last reactor was shut down in 2023, two years post-Merkel’s chancellorship. Weidel advocated for the reintroduction of nuclear power as a cost-effective alternative to the green energy favored by Berlin. Musk, identifying himself as “a big fan of solar energy,” suggested that Germany should not only reopen its nuclear plants but also “significantly increase” their output.
Weidel took aim at the government for allegedly promoting “immigration into the social system,” which she claimed burdens taxpayers financially. She stated that over 7 million people have arrived in Germany since 2015, with nearly 60% reportedly disposing of their ID papers to complicate deportation efforts. She attributed this challenging situation to the lenient approach towards migrants during the Merkel years. Musk noted that the U.S. faces a similar situation with undocumented migrants at its border with Mexico.
Citing figures from the German federal statistics agency, Weidel mentioned that over 14 million “non-Germans” entered the country from 2015 to 2023. The report did not clarify if these individuals were from other EU nations or outside of the bloc. The federal and regional authorities expended €6.29 billion on benefits for asylum seekers in 2023 alone, according to government data.
Weidel described the Alternative for Germany as a “libertarian conservative party” aimed at reducing bureaucracy and liberating citizens from government control. She expressed a desire for “self-confident people” who enjoy free speech and contribute to wealth generation. Despite criticisms, she argued that her party has been “negatively framed” by the media and expressed gratitude to Musk for a “normal conversation,” in which she felt unrestrained.
She vehemently dismissed comparisons of AfD to the Nazis, claiming that Adolf Hitler was neither a libertarian nor a conservative. Some members of AfD, including Thuringia leader Bjoern Hoecke, have made divisive comments about Germany’s Nazi past, leading to accusations of connections with neo-Nazi groups. Consequently, other major parties have largely refused to collaborate with AfD. In 2021, Germany’s domestic security agency BfV categorized AfD as a “suspected” extremist group, a designation that the party has contested unsuccessfully in court.
Musk and Weidel criticized EU officials for their oversight of their discussion and accused them of engaging in “censorship of free speech.” They concurred that free speech embodies a “bedrock of democracy,” while suggesting that “extreme censorship” facilitated Hitler’s rise to power. Musk warned that those advocating for censorship should be cautious, as it could eventually turn against them.
On the complicated topic of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Weidel expressed her support for Israel, claiming her party is the “only protector” of Jews in Germany. However, she also highlighted the need for basic resources like drinking water to reach the people of Gaza. She stated that the conflict is “complicated” and does not perceive a straightforward solution at present. Musk recommended steps to potentially conclude the fighting, including the “elimination” of Hamas and similar forces that threaten Israel's existence, as well as fixing the Palestinian education system to promote prosperity in the region. He asserted, “I think there is great wisdom in forgiveness. It is the only way to stop the endless cycle of violence.”
Discussing the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Weidel indicated that the EU had “given up on everything” and relied heavily on the U.S. She characterized the ongoing conflict as a “big danger” to European security, emphasizing that the EU's approach has merely “escalated the entire conflict [with] Russia.” She warned that there are “no strategies” or “red lines,” and the situation could dangerously “escalate big time towards a nuclear exchange.” Musk expressed hope that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump might swiftly resolve the crisis, yet declined to elaborate on the incoming administration’s strategies. He suggested that prolonging the conflict would only weaken Ukraine, which he described as a “smaller country” unable to sustain major losses.
When asked about his ambitions to colonize Mars, Musk explained that it is a “way to ensure the long-term survival of life as we know it,” providing a safeguard against global disasters, whether natural or man-made. He highlighted the need to create a self-sufficient colony, reiterating that reaching Mars is “not so much [about] flags and footprints” but rather about establishing a complex community that might require “a million tons of cargo” and “a million people.”
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk hosted a conversation with Alice Weidel, co-leader of the right-wing Alternative for Germany party. As many as 150 experts were anticipated to monitor the live-streamed event on X for potential breaches of Germany’s election laws, according to PMG.
Musk stirred controversy in Berlin previously by commending AfD’s policies, notably its stringent immigration stance. During his dialogue with Weidel, he reiterated his assertion that “only AfD can save Germany” as the nation approaches the 2025 parliamentary election.
Weidel criticized former Chancellor Angela Merkel for her “open-doors policy” during the 2015 migrant crisis, a period during which Germany accepted roughly 1 million asylum seekers from Africa and the Middle East. She declared that Merkel “basically ruined our country,” arguing that the phaseout of affordable nuclear energy “destroyed the backbone” of the German economy.
According to Weidel, Germany has decommissioned its nuclear facilities, making it the only industrial nation to do so. Following the 2011 decision by the German parliament to close the plants after the Fukushima disaster in Japan, the last reactor was shut down in 2023, two years post-Merkel’s chancellorship. Weidel advocated for the reintroduction of nuclear power as a cost-effective alternative to the green energy favored by Berlin. Musk, identifying himself as “a big fan of solar energy,” suggested that Germany should not only reopen its nuclear plants but also “significantly increase” their output.
Weidel took aim at the government for allegedly promoting “immigration into the social system,” which she claimed burdens taxpayers financially. She stated that over 7 million people have arrived in Germany since 2015, with nearly 60% reportedly disposing of their ID papers to complicate deportation efforts. She attributed this challenging situation to the lenient approach towards migrants during the Merkel years. Musk noted that the U.S. faces a similar situation with undocumented migrants at its border with Mexico.
Citing figures from the German federal statistics agency, Weidel mentioned that over 14 million “non-Germans” entered the country from 2015 to 2023. The report did not clarify if these individuals were from other EU nations or outside of the bloc. The federal and regional authorities expended €6.29 billion on benefits for asylum seekers in 2023 alone, according to government data.
Weidel described the Alternative for Germany as a “libertarian conservative party” aimed at reducing bureaucracy and liberating citizens from government control. She expressed a desire for “self-confident people” who enjoy free speech and contribute to wealth generation. Despite criticisms, she argued that her party has been “negatively framed” by the media and expressed gratitude to Musk for a “normal conversation,” in which she felt unrestrained.
She vehemently dismissed comparisons of AfD to the Nazis, claiming that Adolf Hitler was neither a libertarian nor a conservative. Some members of AfD, including Thuringia leader Bjoern Hoecke, have made divisive comments about Germany’s Nazi past, leading to accusations of connections with neo-Nazi groups. Consequently, other major parties have largely refused to collaborate with AfD. In 2021, Germany’s domestic security agency BfV categorized AfD as a “suspected” extremist group, a designation that the party has contested unsuccessfully in court.
Musk and Weidel criticized EU officials for their oversight of their discussion and accused them of engaging in “censorship of free speech.” They concurred that free speech embodies a “bedrock of democracy,” while suggesting that “extreme censorship” facilitated Hitler’s rise to power. Musk warned that those advocating for censorship should be cautious, as it could eventually turn against them.
On the complicated topic of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Weidel expressed her support for Israel, claiming her party is the “only protector” of Jews in Germany. However, she also highlighted the need for basic resources like drinking water to reach the people of Gaza. She stated that the conflict is “complicated” and does not perceive a straightforward solution at present. Musk recommended steps to potentially conclude the fighting, including the “elimination” of Hamas and similar forces that threaten Israel's existence, as well as fixing the Palestinian education system to promote prosperity in the region. He asserted, “I think there is great wisdom in forgiveness. It is the only way to stop the endless cycle of violence.”
Discussing the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, Weidel indicated that the EU had “given up on everything” and relied heavily on the U.S. She characterized the ongoing conflict as a “big danger” to European security, emphasizing that the EU's approach has merely “escalated the entire conflict [with] Russia.” She warned that there are “no strategies” or “red lines,” and the situation could dangerously “escalate big time towards a nuclear exchange.” Musk expressed hope that U.S. President-elect Donald Trump might swiftly resolve the crisis, yet declined to elaborate on the incoming administration’s strategies. He suggested that prolonging the conflict would only weaken Ukraine, which he described as a “smaller country” unable to sustain major losses.
When asked about his ambitions to colonize Mars, Musk explained that it is a “way to ensure the long-term survival of life as we know it,” providing a safeguard against global disasters, whether natural or man-made. He highlighted the need to create a self-sufficient colony, reiterating that reaching Mars is “not so much [about] flags and footprints” but rather about establishing a complex community that might require “a million tons of cargo” and “a million people.”
Rohan Mehta for TROIB News
