'Best hope': Elon Musk voices support for German far-right party, urges nationals to move beyond past guilt

Elon Musk

Using a live video link, tech billionaire Elon Musk appeared ta rally for Germany’s Alternative for Deutschland (AfD) party, once again voicing his support for the far-right party and describing it as the country’s “best hope.” He urged the crowd to not be ashamed of their country’s history.

His remarks on Saturday come amid controversy over accusations of doing a "Nazi salute" at US President Donald Trump's inauguration event earlier this week. 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.

Addressing a hall of 4,500 people alongside the party’s co-leader, Alice Weidel, Musk spoke live via video link about preserving German culture and protecting the German people.

SpaceX CEO criticised the European Union, calling its bureaucracy excessive, and expressed hope that Weidel would become chancellor after the election on February 23. Referring to Germany’s Nazi past, he argued that the focus on historical guilt was misplaced. “Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great-grandparents,” he was quoted as saying by news agency Reuters in its report.

Musk, despite facing backlash, once again endorsed Germany's far-right AfD party, calling it the nation's "best hope". His support sparked controversy, coinciding with mass anti-AfD protests across German cities.  Last week, the US billionaire caused uproar after he made a gesture that drew online comparisons to a Nazi salute during President Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities.

Musk spoke in favour of voting for the far-right party. “I’m very excited for the AfD, I think you’re really the best hope for Germany’s fight for a great future for Germany,” he told onlookers.