From MAGA to MEGA – Elon is Exporting America's Fascist Playbook to Europe
The richest man in the world is on a mission to further alt-right politics globally.
On Saturday, a federal judge temporarily thwarted Elon Musk’s Treasury Department data heist until a hearing can be held this week. Musk’s unilateral actions have caused major alarm, as he and his DOGE team have accessed our personal information – like our Social Security numbers and banking information. Trump himself said that DOGE didn’t need access to this data but that, “they get it very easily,” going on to say that “we don’t have very good security in our country.”
Traditional news outlets have covered the play-by-play of Musk’s DOGE dangerous data schemes, and we should all be keeping a close eye on that reporting; however, I want to focus on the larger picture that is not making headlines.
Elon Musk’s goal is not, and has never been, solely focused on alt-right politics in the United States. As Musk gains global prominence from his wealth, status, and tech platform, he’s using his influence to further alt-right extremist movements the world over. His growing presence and authority in American politics is just the latest piece in that much larger puzzle.
In this post, I’ll cover:
Elon’s use of X as a global propaganda machine for alt-right politics
Musk’s direct support for alt-right groups in Europe
What this means & what we can do about it
X: A Global Propaganda Machine for the Alt-Right
Elon’s purchase of Twitter was never a money move. Advertisers have fled the platform, which has lost approximately 80% of it’s value since its purchase, according to estimates from Fidelity. From the beginning, Musk’s motivation has always been influence.
After buying Twitter, one of the first things Elon did was reinstate Donald Trump’s account, which was previously banned after the January 6th insurrection “due to the risk of further incitement of violence.”
Trump’s first post back on the platform was a campaign ad. Elon’s viral interview with Trump and endorsement also happened via X.
Musk has used X to raise his own profile, taking steps to “ensure that his account is front and center.” His name is pretty much always trending and his account is recommended aggressively on the platform. Musk is now the most followed user on X and has made countless decisions that help alt-right propaganda, conspiracy theories, misinformation, and hate speech flourish on the platform.
We all feel the impact on our timelines. What was once a thriving town square for political discussion, pop culture, and memes has been co-opted for a much darker purpose. We all know the story: Elon created conditions, both financially and algorithmically, that helped push Donald Trump over the finish line in November. Now, Musk’s investment is paying dividends, as he acts with the authority of the President, stealing our data while Trump plays golf; however, Musk has his sights set on a global movement, and that’s the part American media largely ignores.
Elon’s Mission to Make Europe Great Again
Elon Musk has been using X to meddle in European politics, most notably in Germany and Britain, and his involvement has major implications for democracies everywhere.
According to reporting by PBS:
“Overseas – where most X users live – he’s [Musk] feuded with top officials in Australia, Brazil, the European Union, and the U.K. over the balance between free speech and the spread of harmful misinformation.”
Expressing opinions about global politics is certainly not a crime, but Musk’s billions – coupled with his ownership of a key communications platform and prominent position in the Trump administration – gives him outsized influence. Raluca Csernatoni, a Fellow at Carnegie Europe dubbed Musk’s meddling as “soft interference: a foreign actor using algorithmic tools to amplify divisive political narratives.”
Musk’s forays into foreign politics are made more complicated by his role in the Trump Administration, as Elon has reportedly joined Trump for a number of meetings with foreign leaders. So, lets take a look at Elon Musk’s involvement with the far-right movements in Germany and the UK.
The early stages of Elon’s involvement usually look the exact same – a post on X that “only [insert alt-right party/ candidate] can save [country]” to test the waters.
Germany
Alice Weidel – Germany’s alt-right “Alternative for Germany” (AfD) candidate – is a perfect example of Musk’s interference, and it all starts with X.
With snap elections coming up to elect a new chancellor on February 23rd, Elon has used the last few weeks to stump for Alice Weidel. After posting his endorsement on X, Musk hosted a livestream with Weidel on his platform. NPR reports that ~200,000 people tuned in while Musk sang her praises, advising Germans to move beyond “past guilt” (in reference to Nazi Germany) to Make Germany Great Again.
Coincidentally, Weidel is now getting more traction on X “than any other German leader,” according to Forbes.
Quickly, the unthinkable is happening in Germany, and around the world, as far-right politics make their way into the mainstream. The German electorate has major anxieties about inflation, immigration, and the economy. Musk has involved himself in Germany’s immigration debate, pushing anti-immigrant rhetoric similar to what is thriving here in America. The far-right playbook – blaming immigrants for every problem, especially the economy – worked on Americans and is gaining traction around the world, led by the same small men who are stripping global democracy for parts.
Though Weidel is not projected to win the election (currently polling at about 20%), Elon’s embrace of AfD has brought the far right into the mainstream for the first time since WW2, sending shockwaves throughout the nation. After WW2, German political parties established a postwar pact of non-cooperation with the far-right, which has held for decades. In late January, that firewall took a major hit, as the Christian Democratic Union (a German political party) tried to pass a hardline anti-immigration bill with the help of AfD.
The CDU’s cooperation with AfD sparked massive outrage. Germans took to the streets in protest and the anti-immigration bill ultimately failed; but, the world will be watching on February 23rd as Germany chooses their next leader. No matter the outcome, Elon Musk will have played his part in changing the landscape of German politics for years to come.
Britain
The story in Britain is pretty similar. Elon has been using X to support far-right politician and leader of the Reform UK party, Nigel Farage. Farage told BBC that he and Elon “did talk about money” when they met at Donald Trump’s Florida retreat back in December. Farage went on the record, saying:
“He [Musk] wants to help us, he’s not opposed to the idea of giving us money, provided we can do it legally through UK companies.”
It turns out that when you put too many alt-right assholes together, their egos can’t help but clash. Musk and Farage had a bit of a spat over X earlier in January. Long story short, Farage didn’t immediately bend to Elon’s will and so Elon took to X, calling for Farage to be replaced as leader of Reform UK; but, not to worry, Farage recently told the New York Times that their relationship was “fine” and that Elon was still considering a sizeable donation to the party.
European Nations Fighting Back
This is not just about Germany and Britain. French President Emmanuel Macron has spoken out, saying Musk has intervened in European elections, pointing directly to Germany as an example. Last week, an investigation was opened at the request of multiple parties, including French lawmaker, Eric Bothorel, who said:
“Elon Musk’s personal involvement in the management of the platform, but also in several elections concerning European countries, represents a real danger and threat to our democracies.”
Other complaints refer to X’s onslaught of “hateful, racist, anti-LBGT+ and homophobic political content, which aims to skew the democratic debate in France.”
X has also been under investigation by the EU for its misinformation and content moderation politices. Last July, preliminary findings announced breaches of regulations “in areas linked to dark patterns, advertising transparency, and data access for researchers.” Once an official ruling comes out, the platform could be hit with a hefty fine, “up to 6% of its worldwide turnover.”
The impact of Elon stoking the alt-right flames cannot be understated. He has not endorsed a candidate in the upcoming Polish elections, yet more than 30% of respondents in a recent poll said that Musk’s support of a candidate would influence their vote. More than 10% say his endorsement would dictate their vote.
Globally, the issues we face are largely the same – record inflation after COVID, consolidation of wealth at the very top, and disillusionment with the status quo. Incumbent leaders around the world were ousted in this last cycle of elections. Grifters and Nazis like Elon Musk thrive on that kind of anger, fear, and resentment – selling a revisionist reality where immigrants and DEI are to blame for your every grievance. Only they can save the world! MEGA. Reform UK. AfD. Whatever mask it wears. It is the cover for the same rotten core of bigotry and alt-right fascism. History tells us how this story will end.
So what are we going to do about it?
No one person should have this much influence over our domestic or global politics. The fact that Elon Musk, an unelected billionaire, has access to our personal information should have us all concerned. Donald Trump has handed over the keys to the kingdom. He has always been lazy and unwilling to do the job of POTUS. While Trump is out golfing, Elon has been given free reign. It seems as if Elon’s quarter billion dollar campaign donation is paying off.
So, what are we going to do? Here’s a few actions you can take right now:
Email the Treasury Department with a Civil Liberties Complaint against Elon Musk and DOGE for accessing our data.
Elizabeth Booker Houston put together a fantastic copy/paste email template that you can use to submit this complaint in less than two minutes.
Get off of Twitter. Musk uses this platform to artificially inflate himself and his importance. Take away his captive audience.
Find trusted news sources that tell you what is going on around the world. I’ve linked a bunch of them throughout this article.
Find out what peaceful protests are happening near you.
This one will take some independent research. The mere thought of cooperating with the alt-right had Germans out in the streets a few weeks ago and, when they stood together, the AfD + CDU coalition fell apart.
I’ll leave you with this – What is happening right now shows us that our global fight against alt-right fascism is intertwined, and our collective liberation will be too.