Musk Boosts Hard-Right Influence Across Europe on X

Elon Musk has become a significant influencer in European politics by amplifying hard-right politicians and commentators through interactions on his social media platform, X. His engagements with these figures have led to substantial increases in their follower counts and viewership, contributing to notable electoral successes, such as Germany's AfD party's best performance and the election of Cypriot influencer-turned-politician Fidias Panayiotou. This growing influence has sparked widespread concern across Europe about the implications for democratic integrity and foreign interference, with officials like Christel Schaldemose of the European Parliament warning that 'every alarm bell needs to ring.' Despite Musk's diminished political standing in the U.S. after his fallout with President Donald Trump, his power to shape political discourse in Europe remains unchecked, raising questions about the role of billionaire influencers in democratic processes. Panayiotou, who publicly distances himself from Musk, acknowledges the boost Musk's platform has given him, while Musk openly endorses and promotes these hard-right figures. The phenomenon highlights a new dimension of foreign political influence, not from traditional state actors but from influential private individuals controlling major digital platforms.