Germany’s outgoing left-wing Chancellor Olaf Scholz has told US tech billionaire Elon Musk that supporting so-called “extreme-right” positions did not count as free speech.
Scholz, a senior member of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD), blasted Musk in response to a question about his conduct at US President Donald Trump’s inauguration on January 21.
Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, Scholz insisted that Europeans did have freedom of speech — contrary to claims made by Musk — but went on to define that as being conditional on what a person was saying.
Shame on Oaf Schitz! https://t.co/xtdW8D6FTo
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) January 21, 2025
“We have the freedom of speech in Europe and, in Germany, everyone can say what he wants, even if he is a billionaire,” Scholz said.
“What we do not accept is if this is supporting extreme-right positions.”
Following those remarks, Musk took to his own X social media platform to apparently mock the Chancellor over his comments.
“Shame on Oaf Schitz!” he posted.
COMMENT: Merz promises sweeping reforms but must rely on Left-leaning partners to implement them, while Scholz emphasizes stability despite his administration's lingering uncertainties, writes @JavierVillamor on the upcoming German elections. https://t.co/OvfYhVO27n
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) December 20, 2024
Scholz also targeted Trump while speaking at Davos, insisting to the gathered crowd that Germany would not be doing any “fake cozying up” to the new US administration.
“To be very clear, the United States is our closest ally outside of Europe and I will do everything I can to ensure it remains like that because it is in our mutual interest,” he said, before adding that Trump would nevertheless leave Europe and the world “in suspense” regarding his policy positions.
The Chancellor also took aim at any leader who might try to annex territory by military force.
China has repeatedly made international headlines for its threats to invade Taiwan, while Trump has provoked uproar by suggesting the US could invade Panama and Greenland for the purpose of expanding his country’s territory.
“Anyone who challenges this principle challenges the international order as a whole – challenges peace and prosperity around the globe,” Scholz said.
COMMENT: Greenland, Canada, Panama: Trump wants them, but can he take them?
M E Synon delves into the incoming US president's audacious approach to redefining America's global and domestic landscape. https://t.co/WOFGPUSM62
— Brussels Signal (@brusselssignal) January 9, 2025
