The SPD’s Rolf Mutzenich says Elon Musk’s criticism of German leaders is exceeding acceptable limits in relations between friendly nations.
Rolf Mutzenich, head of Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) parliamentary group, has voiced concern that Elon Musk’s attacks on German leaders could damage relations between Germany and the United States.
In a Wednesday interview with Spiegel, Mutzenich condemned Musk’s disparaging remarks about German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and Chancellor Olaf Scholz. Musk called Steinmeier an “anti-democratic tyrant,” Scholz a “fool” and “Oaf Schitz,” and expressed support for the far-right AfD party, referring to it as “the last spark of hope for this country.”
Mutzenich accused Musk, a prominent supporter of former US President Donald Trump, of overstepping boundaries between friendly nations. He defended Steinmeier, arguing that attacks on the German head of state under international law are attacks on all German citizens.
Mutzenich urged Berlin to seek clarification on whether Musk’s “disrespect, defamation, and interference” reflect the views of the incoming Trump administration.
German officials have speculated that Musk’s comments might be an attempt to influence Germany’s upcoming February parliamentary elections. Scholz’s coalition government recently collapsed following disagreements over Ukraine aid, economic reforms, and climate policy, triggering a vote of no confidence and the dissolution of parliament in December.
US-German relations were strained during Trump’s first term due to several issues. Trump criticized Germany’s trade surplus with the US and threatened tariffs on German cars. He repeatedly criticized Germany for not meeting NATO’s defense spending targets, accusing it of over-reliance on US military support. He also opposed the Nord Stream 2 pipeline project, which was sabotaged in 2022 after the start of the Ukraine war, arguing it increased the EU’s energy dependence on Russia.