Faced with the growing intervention of Elon Musk in European political debates, several leaders of the Old Continent raised their voice on Monday against the thunderous billionaire, accused of peddling “lies and disinformation” and of supporting a “reactionary international”.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, one of Elon Musk’s favorite targets in recent weeks, denounced “those who spread lies and disinformation” after several days of frantic messages from the billionaire on a child crime case in England and supporting a far-right activist.
>> Also listen to 12:30 p.m.:
Elon Musk responded, accusing the Labor leader of being “utterly despicable”.
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At the same time, French President Emmanuel Macron regretted seeing the richest man on the planet supporting “a reactionary international” in Europe.
“Ten years ago, if we had been told that the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world would support a new reactionary international and intervene directly in the elections, including in Germany, who would have imagined it?” he said during a speech to French ambassadors.
Support for the AfD
Emmanuel Macron was referring to the American billionaire’s strong support for the German far-right party AfD, notably in an article published in the newspaper Die Welt in the middle of the campaign for the early elections.
>> Reread: Opposed to a pro-AfD column by Elon Musk, an editor-in-chief of the newspaper Die Welt resigns
In Germany, Chancellor Olaf Scholz condemned on Saturday the “erratic statements” of Elon Musk, who had called him “crazy” and “an incompetent imbecile”, before describing President Frank-Walter Steinmeier as a “tyrant”. .
>> Also read: Germany accuses Elon Musk of trying to “influence” early elections
In Norway too, Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre expressed his concern on Monday, judging on public radio NRK“concerning that a man with considerable access to social networks and significant economic resources would become so directly involved in the internal affairs of other countries.”
>> (Re)listen to the Point J episode “What is Elon Musk playing?” :
Rise of the far right
The tone contrasts with the time when European leaders fought to curry favor with the businessman, hoping to welcome a future Tesla factory and praising the visionary genius of the SpaceX founder.
Since he became politically involved with Donald Trump and played a leading role in his campaign, Elon Musk has increased his support for representatives of the far right in Germany and the United Kingdom.
>> (Re)listen to the episode of Democracy! Democracy! “Elon Musk, the shadow president?” :
These outings, often published on its social network
They also put some of them in a delicate situation, a few days before the return to the White House of Donald Trump, who entrusted Elon Musk with a mission to reduce public spending.
>> Also read: Donald Trump appoints Elon Musk to head new government efficiency ministry
“Attack on democracy”
Notable exception among major European countries: Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called Musk a “genius” and an “extraordinary innovator”, in an interview with Corriere della Sera Friday.
“It makes me smile to see those who until yesterday spoke of Musk as a genius and who today portray him as a monster, only because he chose the side considered ‘bad’ on the barricade”, mocked the Italian leader, who briefly visited Donald Trump on Saturday in Florida.
Debate not prohibited
“Nothing prohibits” Elon Musk, owner of the German election.
The billionaire will participate in a conversation on Thursday with the leader of the German far-right party, AfD, broadcast on X.
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