Elon Musk’s Influence in Europe: What’s Driving His Controversial Actions?
Elon Musk, the world’s richest person, is stirring up political waters across Europe, much like he did in the U.S. with his past support for Donald Trump. After spending a staggering quarter-billion dollars on Trump’s re-election campaign, Musk is now setting his sights on European leaders. His actions are causing quite a stir, as he aligns himself with far-right figures and challenges the continent’s political order.
Musk, who once stated he would prefer to stay out of politics, has dramatically shifted his stance since taking ownership of Twitter, now rebranded as X. He has turned the platform into his personal soapbox, welcoming back far-right voices previously banned under former ownership. Musk’s influence extends beyond social media; he has made headlines for supporting controversial figures and movements in Europe, including vocal endorsements for far-right politicians in Germany and a campaign against the British government.
Several European Union leaders are sounding the alarm, accusing Musk of meddling in their political affairs. He has become known for launching aggressive online campaigns against governments, including personal attacks on UK leadership. Additionally, he has publicly backed far-right activists and parties, some with troubling connections to nationalist and extremist views. As misinformation spreads on X, European officials are growing increasingly uneasy, fearing the platform is fueling far-right violence, such as last summer’s riots in Britain.
Musk’s bold moves have left many in Europe wondering why he’s so invested in their political landscape. “It’s quite a hubris,” says Eric Nelson, former U.S. Ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina. Musk’s influence, combined with his wealth and experience as an adviser to Trump, makes him a powerful force. Yet European leaders are struggling to come up with a strategy to handle his actions. Bill Echikson, senior fellow at the Center for European Policy Analysis, points out that European governments feel stuck, uncertain about how to respond to Musk’s growing interference.
While European politicians are undoubtedly concerned, there’s no clear plan to counter Musk’s influence. They blame disinformation and automated bots for exacerbating political divisions and empowering extremist views. However, without a unified response, Musk’s sway continues to shape political discourse across the continent, raising difficult questions for leaders on how best to address his growing power in European affairs.
