Germany needs the AfD desperately.
BREAKING: “Only the AfD can save Germany.”
— Remix News & Views (@RMXnews) December 20, 2024
Elon Musk announces his support for Germany’s AFD party in upcoming elections.
However, it remains unclear what kind of support this could entail, whether free advertising on X or direct funding. pic.twitter.com/jWEpUsaDSI
Just to be clear, there is currently no evidence Musk is providing any financial backing to the AfD in Germany, or whether that would even be legal. German parties are generally forbidden from accepting donations from foreign sources. In general, direct funding from private German sources pales in comparison to other countries like the U.S., a system that helps keep big money out of politics to some degree. Most German parties receive the lion’s share of funding from public money and membership fees. Companies, however, can donate within limits. It is unclear if Tesla’s German branch, for example, could donate to the AfD or any other party. Musk is reportedly toying with the idea of active financial support for parties he supports in Europe, with the Reform Party in the UK a potential recipient of direct financial contributions.