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submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) by HowRu68@lemmy.world to c/europe@feddit.org

Elon Musk made a surprise appearance during Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) election campaign event in Halle in eastern Germany on Saturday, speaking publicly in support of the far-right party for the second time in as many weeks.

"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 said.

Note that Musk's citizenship include South Africa, Canada (from 1989) and United States (from 2002)

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[-] x00z@lemmy.world 28 points 2 days ago

If a billionaire meddles with anything related to politics, it's lobbying. And if that lobbying is public, hateful and divides people, you know it's nefarious and should be stopped as soon as possible.

The man has everything he needs. The only thing he doesn't have? Actual power. And he's going for it.

[-] HowRu68@lemmy.world 8 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

The man has everything he needs. The only thing he doesn't have? Actual power. And he's going for it.<

I get what you're trying to say. But words can change stories, so here is a slightly different take:

He has everything he needs and too much of it . Including power, that's why he gets more and more, and way more than one can ever need in hundreds of generations.

That's also why he can do and say all kinds of shit, and get away with it. And that's the problem. Our world shouldn't facilitate that kind of power and power abuse, without accountability. But it has, and that's why he's a problem.

Yet, he has been crossing some lines. And so, his public support and political clout is slowly diminishing. Seemingly, more financial institutions are starting to lose confidence in him, and dropping supporting him.

[-] P1nkman@lemmy.world 83 points 2 days ago

If it sounds like nazi, walks like a nazi, and talks like a nazi, it's just Elon Musk, the nazi.

[-] nialv7@lemmy.world 65 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Well, I was downvoted hundreds of times and being told by someone I had the "most moronic opinion" they had ever seen, just because I pointed out there are people in Germany who will celebrate Elon Musk doing the Nazi salute.

Do you believe me now? I am so tired of this shit. Our world is going up in flames and somehow I still need to be ridiculed by someone who I share most of my political beliefs with. Come on, we are on the same side.

[-] Feathercrown@lemmy.world 35 points 2 days ago

And you were downvoted AGAIN.

Listen up people. Elon Musk is a Nazi. This country used to kill Nazis. We cannot accept him in our government. I don't care what personal hangups about this you have for some reason. Vote this shitstain out the next chance you get.

[-] TomAwsm@lemmy.world 7 points 2 days ago

How do we vote someone out that was never voted in?

(this isn't to be contrarian, I agree with everything in your comment)

[-] Nalivai@lemmy.world 4 points 2 days ago

If it's not obvious, you vote out those who brought him in.

[-] Enkrod@feddit.org 1 points 1 day ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

He's just going to buy the next election/president too.

[-] Nalivai@lemmy.world 1 points 1 day ago

You elect those who aren't for sale. Americans have this weird quirk when they simultaneously disappointed with the results of elections, but can't be askes to even vote every couple of years, let alone doing some political activities.
Then everyone moans that elections don't work. Motherfuchers, two thirds of you can't be asked to buy a stamp, why the fuck do you think the elections are not decided by someone else

[-] albert180@discuss.tchncs.de 15 points 2 days ago

Tesla has some cult like Followers which are doing Olympic Level Mental Gymnastics.

Just like Church of Apple Members

[-] calavera@lemm.ee 1 points 1 day ago

I believe they are dwindling, at least for me it's getting more rare to find them, although I'm not in twitter.

I remember going to electrec.co and everybody there was a Musksteer, but now it's the completely opposite. Even in teslarati there are way more dissidents than before

[-] JustJack23@slrpnk.net 5 points 2 days ago

America* FTFY

of course not all Americans, but maga, all of silicone valley, whoever works for Elon....

[-] DragonTypeWyvern@midwest.social 7 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

"Do you think there are no Nazi sympathizers in Germany? Don't you see AfD on the rise there?

Most of the people seeing this isn't going to know the context (i.e. this is a protest). If you strip away the context, this is just a blatant public display of the fascist salute, which many there have wanted to do for so long but couldn't because they feared the consequences. This could very well embolden them.

Like, if you just look at the photo, it even straight out says "heil Tesla", for crying out loud. If this is a protest, they did a piss poor job of it. At least put a clown makeup on Elon's face, what are they even doing.

Edit: some people can't even read it seems."

https://lemmy.world/comment/14629315

Lol, no, that's not why you got downvoted. You got downvoted for saying people don't understand the context. Which is just a really bad take.

[-] barsoap@lemm.ee 11 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Like, if you just look at the photo, it even straight out says “heil Tesla”, for crying out loud. If this is a protest, they did a piss poor job of it. At least put a clown makeup on Elon’s face, what are they even doing.

You might want to put that into a quote block.

And, no, the people from the centre of political beauty are definitely not Nazis, and neither are they amateurs. They're professionals. Their list of exploits is long, and artistic, including building a replica of the Berlin holocaust memorial next to the house of Germany's highest-ranking Nazi.

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[-] poVoq@slrpnk.net 125 points 3 days ago

Musk spoke live via video link

For those wondering.

I guess he is afraid to get arrested in Germany given his apparent lack of self-control Heil Hitlering crowds in person. /s

[-] CyberEgg@discuss.tchncs.de 37 points 3 days ago

Heil Hitlering

In Germany, we call that "abhitlern" (to hitler off).

[-] 100_kg_90_de_belin@feddit.it 6 points 2 days ago

Death, taxes, German having a word for it, whatever it may be.

[-] xtr0n@sh.itjust.works 32 points 3 days ago

I would hope that the anti-Nazi countries would refuse to allow entry. Unless they decide to let him in just so they can arrest him. Hopefully there are still countries that will hold billionaires accountable.

[-] DmMacniel@feddit.org 24 points 3 days ago

Heil Hitlering

I feel bad for laughing at that.

[-] Redredme@lemmy.world 18 points 3 days ago

If you find that funny you just have to watch Jojo rabbit.

It's where this term comes from. Quite funny. Heartbreaking also. Great movie.

[-] Grant_M@lemmy.ca 30 points 2 days ago

Nazi shows up at a Nazi event,

[-] punkisundead@slrpnk.net 53 points 3 days ago

The biggest news / media company in Germany (anf maybe europe?), *Axel Springer, *also invited this nazi and his nazi friends from the AfD to their yearly economic event in Berljn next week: https://www.axelspringer.com/de/ax-press-release/vor-der-bundestagswahl-politiker-und-wirtschafts-lenker-treffen-sich-zum-dialog-beim-16-welt-wirtschaftsgipfel

[-] DmMacniel@feddit.org 20 points 3 days ago

wouldn't it be amazing when he would be put under arrest once he landed?

[-] punkisundead@slrpnk.net 6 points 2 days ago

He most likely will only join via video call.

Also its very unlikely for him to get arrested in Germany

[-] GlassHalfHopeful@lemmy.ca 48 points 3 days ago

Musk's words remind me of a prominent German leader who once also sought to keep Germany pure and prevent "the sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything." I'm having trouble placing the guy's name though...

[-] kbal@fedia.io 18 points 3 days ago

You're probably thinking of von Hindenburg.

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[-] MonkderVierte@lemmy.ml 13 points 2 days ago* (last edited 1 day ago)

It got a bit out of hand, because the only ones wanting him there were the Nazis.

[-] cdf12345@lemm.ee 27 points 3 days ago
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[-] reallykindasorta@slrpnk.net 29 points 3 days ago

Gross. The coward was only willing to ‘make an appearance’ via video.

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[-] takeda@lemm.ee 17 points 3 days ago

Most ironic thing is that an elite, globalist is an inspiration of anti elite anti globalists.

[-] jmcs@discuss.tchncs.de 6 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

It's almost like they use elite globalist to mean something that if they said out loud would end up with them in jail for hate speech. /S

[-] Feathercrown@lemmy.world 11 points 2 days ago

What the FUCK

[-] DarkShaggy@lemmy.world 19 points 3 days ago
[-] GlassHalfHopeful@lemmy.ca 15 points 3 days ago

In all seriousness, how great of a threat is the AfD within Germany?

[-] CyberEgg@discuss.tchncs.de 41 points 3 days ago

Enough of a threat that 200 lawyers recently published an open letter calling for a ban, another 17 constitutional lawyers seeing a strong case for a ban etc.

The last try banning an extremist right wing party (then NPD) failed due to the constitutional court seeing no chance that party could implement their policies. Nobody thinks that would be the case with the AfD.

Also, the candidate for chancellor of the largest party, Friedrich Merz (CDU) just stated they'd work with the AfD on some laws (immigration and refugee issues namely).

Basically, shit's hitting the fan right now.

[-] lemmylommy@lemmy.world 18 points 3 days ago

Also the other right wing populists in the European Parliament kicked them out because the don’t like to be associated with Nazis like the afd. That should tell you everything

[-] CyberEgg@discuss.tchncs.de 9 points 3 days ago

Although that might be a move to appear less extremist to their own voters.

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[-] Feathercrown@lemmy.world 6 points 2 days ago

The last try banning an extremist right wing party (then NPD) failed due to the constitutional court seeing no chance that party could implement their policies

Why should this prevent a ban?

[-] SapphireSphinx@feddit.org 8 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago)

Why should this prevent a ban?

It makes no sense at all and this ruling of our supreme court enabled the Nazis to get where they are today.

First they where too small to be banned. Now they are too big to be banned because politicians fear their voters. All the while they get subsidized from our taxes and get ample time on TV and in the press because they are a legal party and they are not banned. It's crazy yet here we are.

[-] CyberEgg@discuss.tchncs.de 6 points 2 days ago

The AfD is not too big to be banned, some politicians are just cowards or secretly sympathetic to the AfD.

I'm talking legal requirements for a party ban, not why members of parliament don't want to start the process.

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[-] trollercoaster@sh.itjust.works 8 points 2 days ago

A very big one. They are polling above 20% currently, and instead of countering them, the established parties are trying to fish for votes by copying their talking points. As one AfD politician already publically stated, they don't need to hold any office in order to shape policy.

The "conservative" CDU is already openly considering cooperating with them, after the election, they certainly will enter a coalition with them if that's the path to office.

The whole state of affairs in Germany is horrifyingly reminiscent of the situation in the late stages of the Weimar Republic.

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[-] Lemmchen@feddit.org 21 points 3 days ago

Currently it's the biggest threat to our democracy.

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[-] tja@sh.itjust.works 13 points 3 days ago

Around 20% of the votes for the general election next month will be cast for the AfD

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this post was submitted on 25 Jan 2025
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