this post was submitted on 09 Jan 2025
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Summary

Elon Musk livestreamed a conversation with Alice Weidel, co-leader of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, on his platform X, endorsing her and urging support for the AfD ahead of Germany’s February 23 election.

The livestream, which drew over 200,000 viewers, raised concerns across Europe about Musk’s influence in foreign politics.

AfD, under observation for extremism, has gained popularity amid discontent with Chancellor Scholz’s government.

Musk’s promotion of Weidel and controversial remarks on other European issues are being monitored for violations of the EU’s Digital Services Act.

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[–] FlyingSquid 59 points 3 weeks ago (14 children)

Why is Germany not just blocking Twitter? I don't get it.

[–] [email protected] 27 points 3 weeks ago (16 children)

The more serious issue is, why haven't they banned AfD. Where the fuck is the "Defensive" in "Defensive Democracy"?

[–] [email protected] 9 points 3 weeks ago

After the actual Nazis banned a party, people made it far more difficult to ban parties.

You can try it, but it could fail. And the whole spectacle means more attention for them.

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[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

That might be a good idea, but I think that folks need to examine fundamental factors underlying the rise of the far right and the ways in which limiting speech may be a weak remedy.

[–] FlyingSquid 5 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Germany has never had a problem with it before (post-WWII).

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

What's the use of that information? They have that problem now.

It appears to be an internationally occurring problem.

[–] FlyingSquid 4 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

No, I mean they have never had a problem limiting Nazi speech before.

[–] froh42 3 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago) (3 children)

Quite contrary, we have a big problem censoring Nazi speech.

We have some very specific rules when something can be censored and when it can't - and the far right has quite some training in "just not saying that, maybe only implicating it a little".

So any legal action outlawing then needs to rest on really solid legal basis or it will fail. Such a failure would be the propaganda the right wishes for.

Consequently they are always just shy of openly saying things but implying them. Like having election posters where their politicians can say "No we're not showing a Hitler salute in that image, we were just miming a roof of a house over a bunch of kids"

Sometimes a single politician gets caught with doing something too far, but then (of course) the whole party acts like they are shocked.

Getting rid of this shit is not easy, unfortunately. We can't censor what we don't like willy nilly.

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[–] gusgalarnyk 44 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

The power the ultra wealthy have to cross historic boundaries and bend the world to their will is unprecedented in history. We have to safeguard democracy against these people. Billionaires need to be taxed into the worker class for the safety of democracy. And doing so would mean massive societal improvement relatively overnight.

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 weeks ago

Tax the rich! They taste bad!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago

But billionaires will never be taxed, since they're the ones that decide laws. In my opinion, we need 10, 100 or even 1000 Luigi Mangiones.

[–] [email protected] 34 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

We need to treat Nazis how they used to be treated

[–] heroheman 11 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

We need to treat Nazis how they used to be treated - after 1945

FTFY

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 weeks ago

And before 2016

[–] Treczoks 30 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Foreign election interference is a thing. Maybe issue an international arrest warrant?

[–] [email protected] 8 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It's getting investigated on the German side as illegal party financing. As a foreigner he's allowed to donate 1000 Euros while an influencer campaign with similar reach would cost way more. The EU is adding it to the pile of investigations under the Digital Services Act which has quite some provisions for large online platforms.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago

They need to ban X asap.

[–] Metz 24 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

The polls show AfD at 18% now. I have to admit I'm seriously scared. We need to ban this bastards asap.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 3 weeks ago (2 children)

18% was before christmas. Now they are at 20-21% in the polls.

[–] Metz 4 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Had not seen that Allensbach has not updated yet. It is usually much closer to the results than e.g. INSA. But yeah, looks they went up a bit indeed. ffs..

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[–] FelixCress 17 points 3 weeks ago

Ban AfD, issue arrest warrant for Musk for spreading nazi propaganda. Problem sorted.

[–] Roflmasterbigpimp 16 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 2 weeks ago)

Unbelievable how many People can give an in-depth analysis from an Ocean away what exactly the Problem is and how to fix it.

How about you start by not electing Musk and his Sidekick as President?

That would be a good start and a lot of help for everyone.

[–] LANIK2000 14 points 3 weeks ago

Jesus christ, it's been months! Why aren't ee protecting our selves? Ban and sanction Elon! What's with the wait? We rarely wait THIS long to act on Russian or Chinese bullshit, and THEY TRY TO HIDE IT!

[–] jaggedrobotpubes 13 points 3 weeks ago

"Musk likes it, so you know it's bad!"

[–] [email protected] 5 points 3 weeks ago

This thing that musk did raised concerns This other thing that musk did raised concerns This other thing...

THEN WHEN ARE YOU GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT?

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