In the wake of Elon Musk’s recent address at an Alternative for Germany (AfD) rally, Poland’s Sports Minister, Sławomir Nitras, has called for a boycott of Tesla. Musk’s comments, which questioned Germany’s focus on historical guilt, sparked cheers from AfD supporters but outrage from left-liberal politicians in neighboring Poland.
Speaking to a crowd of 4,500 at the rally in Halle, Musk stated, “Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great-grandparents,” referencing Germany’s Nazi era. He emphasized the importance of national pride, saying, “It’s good to be proud of German culture, German values, and not to lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything.”
Nitras, a member of Poland’s Civic Coalition (KO), took issue with Musk’s remarks, calling them inappropriate. “Probably no normal Pole should buy a Tesla anymore. Let Kaczyński drive a Tesla, maybe with Kowalski,” he quipped, referring to Poland’s right-wing leaders.
He urged a “serious and firm” response, suggesting a consumer boycott of Tesla vehicles. “Every normal person living in the center of Europe, who remembers what happened 80 years ago, cannot watch with indifference,” Nitras said. His comments coincided with the anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation, a day he argued should serve as a reminder of past atrocities.
Nitras also accused Musk of meddling in Germany’s domestic politics, stating, “This is obvious interference in Germany’s internal affairs.” He expressed hope that Musk’s involvement might backfire, leading to a weaker performance for the AfD in upcoming elections.
Interestingly, Nitras’s outrage highlights a growing double standard. For years, liberal politicians have welcomed billionaire George Soros’s influence in European politics, funding left-leaning causes without objection. Now, with Musk voicing support for a right-leaning party, the same political elites are crying foul and calling for punitive action.
Musk’s endorsement of the AfD and his critique of multiculturalism have ruffled feathers across Europe, with left-leaning leaders like Nitras framing his comments as divisive and dangerous. The billionaire’s entry into Europe’s political debate has stirred strong reactions, exposing ideological fault lines across the continent.
