Elon Musk’s livestreamed conversation with Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, has drawn sharp criticism from political leaders and regulators across Europe.
While not illegal under EU content moderation rules, the event has heightened concerns about the role of Musk’s social media platform, X, in influencing elections and circumventing democratic safeguards.
The interview, which aired on Thursday and was promoted heavily by Musk to his 211 million followers, saw the billionaire openly endorsing the AfD, describing its policies as “common sense” and urging German voters to support the party. Musk’s alignment with the AfD comes at a sensitive time, just weeks before Germany’s national election on 23 February, and amid an ongoing investigation into X’s compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).
EU Commission Monitoring X’s Role
The European Commission, which has been investigating X since July 2024 for alleged breaches of the DSA, is now scrutinising the potential systemic risks posed by the platform’s practices. A Commission spokesperson confirmed on Monday that the livestream itself was not illegal under the DSA but emphasised that its context could influence the ongoing proceedings.
“In the context of the current X proceedings, the Commission will look into the systemic risks that can come from certain practices on the platform, including the boosting or recommender systems, of this live-streamed interview,” the spokesperson said. Since Musk’s acquisition of X in April 2022, concerns have grown over his alleged use of algorithmic boosts to amplify his own posts and influence platform users.
German MEP Damian Boeselager (Volt/Greens) raised similar concerns in an open letter to EU Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, warning that Musk’s practices may be undermining the DSA’s intent to ensure fair and transparent content moderation. Norway’s Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre echoed these worries, noting the risks posed by powerful tech platforms influencing electoral outcomes.
X’s Content Moderation and Alleged Preferential Treatment
The livestream with Weidel, described by former DSA enforcer Thierry Breton as giving her a “significant and valuable advantage over competitors,” highlighted the unique privileges Musk has granted himself on X. While the platform, as a social media provider rather than a broadcaster, is not required to offer equal airtime to all parties, the Commission stressed the importance of preventing misuse or preferential treatment.
The concerns are particularly acute given the AfD’s controversial position within Germany’s political landscape. Under observation by Germany’s domestic intelligence agency for suspected extremism, the AfD has seen its support grow to 20% in recent polls, making it the second most popular party after the Christian Democratic Union (CDU). Critics argue that the livestream effectively served as an international campaign platform for the AfD, potentially skewing the election landscape.
EU Risks and Platform Accountability
The Commission is set to address these issues at a roundtable discussion on 24 January, convening representatives from large platforms, including X, German regulators such as the Bundesnetzagentur, and civil society organisations. The meeting will focus on mitigating risks associated with social media platforms ahead of the German elections.
Under the DSA, X could face fines of up to 6% of its global turnover if found in violation of EU rules. Preliminary findings from the Commission already indicated breaches of transparency and accountability requirements, particularly concerning the misuse of verification badges and the platform’s content moderation mechanisms.
Broader Implications for European Democracy
Musk’s use of X to amplify political views, including his endorsement of far-right parties, raises questions about the role of social media in modern democracies. Regulators fear that unchecked algorithmic boosts and the promotion of specific candidates or ideologies could undermine election fairness. The Weidel interview is viewed by many as a test case for the DSA’s effectiveness in regulating platform behaviour.
Beyond Germany, the controversy has wider implications for the EU’s approach to regulating powerful tech platforms. The DSA aims to prevent platforms from amplifying disinformation or manipulating users, but enforcement remains a challenge, particularly when platform owners have personal political stakes. Musk’s previous comments and actions, including his endorsement of UK anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson and his criticism of European leaders, underscore the potential for such platforms to disrupt established democratic norms.
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Musk Endorses Germany’s AfD in Polarising Op-Ed Ahead of Snap Elections
