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Julia Smith
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Julia Smith
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A German government spokesperson accused newly-selected Department of Governmental Efficiency (DOGE) Co-Chair and Donald Trump affiliate Elon Musk of attempting to interfere with the nation’s upcoming election on Monday.
Germany Says DOGE Co-Chair Elon Musk Is Interfering In Election
According to German spokesperson Christiane Hoffmann, Musk tried to influence the outcome of the country’s upcoming national election by backing far-right group, Alternative für Deutschland (AfD).
Musk made headlines over the weekend for endorsing the controversial political party in an opinion piece published in a German newspaper, prompting outcry from the country’s officials.
The X CEO and Tesla founder claimed that he has a right to endorse the AfD given that he operates businesses within the country, though authorities have labelled the group as suspected extremists.
“After all, freedom of opinion covers the greatest nonsense,” Hoffmann claimed when addressing reporters on December 30.
Donald Trump Sets Sights On Regulatory Changes
Musk has repeatedly backed the group on his social media platform, most recently labelling current German Chancellor Olaf Scholz a “fool.”
Just over a week ago, incoming U.S. vice president JD Vance seemingly trolled pushback Musk received for his commentary supporting the AfD.
As a longstanding ally, Germany’s accusation that the world’s richest man is interjecting himself into the nation’s politics is particularly notable given his new role as co-chair of advisory group, DOGE.
Alongside crypto-friendly politician and former Republican U.S. presidential candidacy hopeful, Vivek Ramaswamy, the pair will reportedly alter long-established regulatory frameworks across several federal agencies.
“These two wonderful Americans will pave the way for my administration to dismantle government bureaucracy, slash excess regulations, cut wasteful expenditures, and restructure federal agencies…,” President-elect Donald Trump said in November.
The former reality television has long promised to enact crypto-friendly regulations when he returns to the Oval Office next month.
“We will have regulations,” Trump stated at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference this past summer, adding, “but from now on, the rules will be written by the people who love your industry, not hate your industry.
The New York-born businessman, who helped to launch his family’s crypto platform World Liberty Financial earlier this year, has reportedly tapped former SEC commissioner Paul Atkins to replace outgoing chair Gary Gensler come this January.
Gensler, who announced his resignation last month, has been widely criticized by members of the crypto community for his regulation-by-enforcement approach to digital assets.
It remains to be seen how U.S. regulations and international relations may evolve beginning when Trump takes office on January 20.
