German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has responded to Elon Musk’s endorsement of the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, saying it’s important not to “feed the troll.” Musk recently offered support for the AfD, claiming “only the AfD can save Germany.” Scholz told German media outlet Stern that he doesn’t believe in courting Musk’s favor and will leave it to others. He also said, “There are many people on social media who want to attract attention with shrill slogans. The rule is: don’t feed the troll.”
Musk and Scholz have a history of feuding, with Musk calling the chancellor a “fool” and claiming he’ll lose in the next election. Musk has also called for Scholz to step down. The German government has denounced Musk’s endorsement, with Christiane Hoffmann, a spokesperson for the government, saying, “It is indeed the case that Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal election through his statement.”
Other German officials have also spoken out against Musk’s support for the AfD, with German health minister Karl Lauterbach calling it “undignified and highly problematic” and Elmar Brok, a former German MEP, calling it “the world domination fantasies of the American tech kings.”
Musk has scheduled a conversation with AfD leader Alice Weidel for Thursday and has been named as co-chair of the new Department of Government Efficiency, where he has vowed to cut hundreds of millions of dollars from the federal government’s budget.