Musk provokes European leaders ahead of chat with German far-right leader

Liberal FDP leader Christian Lindner has suggested that Musk’s aim might perhaps be to weaken Germany in the US interest, “by recommending voting for a party that would harm us economically and isolate us politically”.

The former head of the European Commission’s digital agenda, Thierry Breton, took to X last weekend to warn Alice Weidel, the AfD’s candidate for chancellor, that Thursday’s live chat with Musk would give her “a significant and valuable advantage over your competitors”.

The European Commission has said there is nothing in the EU’s Digital Services rules that bans a live stream, or anyone expressing personal views.

However, a spokesman warned that platform owners should not provide “preferential treatment”. Musk’s X is already under investigation and the EU says the live stream will come under that inquiry.

While Musk has been outspoken on German politics, he has also been extending his business interests in Italy.

Giorgia Meloni had just been on a whirlwind trip to have dinner with Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago when reports emerged that Italy was in talks with Musk’s SpaceX to sign a $1.6bn (£1.3bn) deal, under which Starlink satellites would provide encrypted internet and telecommunications services for the Italian government.

The deal does not yet appear to have been concluded and Rome has swiftly denied any contracts have been signed.

Musk said on Monday that he was “ready to provide Italy [with] the most secure and advanced connectivity” – without confirming a deal had been reached.

But the suggestion that Starlink could be entrusted with safeguarding the Italian government’s communications was enough to cause alarm among some opposition politicians in Rome.

“Handing over such a delicate service to Musk while he is sponsoring the European far right, spreading fake news and meddling in the internal politics of European countries cannot be an option,” said centrist leader Carlo Calenda.