How Elon Musk Used His Social Media Influence to Amplify Hard-Right Voices in Europe

Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur and owner of X, has transformed the social media platform into a powerful tool for amplifying hard-right voices in Europe, raising concerns about foreign influence in the region’s politics. Since acquiring X (formerly Twitter) in 2022 for $44 billion, Musk’s massive following—now exceeding 220 million—has made him a kingmaker, boosting the reach of far-right politicians and activists, according to an Associated Press analysis of over 20,000 posts.

The Musk Effect: A Megaphone for the Far Right

Musk’s interactions on X have significantly amplified hard-right figures across Europe. For instance, his engagement with German politician Alice Weidel, a leader of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, saw her daily audience on X surge from 230,000 to 2.2 million views on days he interacted with her posts. A livestream hosted by Musk with Weidel preceded a meeting with U.S. Vice President JD Vance in Munich, contributing to AfD’s best-ever electoral performance despite its designation as an extremist group by German authorities.

Similarly, Musk’s over 50 interactions with German influencer Naomi Seibt have increased her post views by 2.6 times on average, growing her followers by 320,000 since he took over X. In the UK, Musk reinstated a controversial anti-immigration activist, previously banned for contempt of court, who gained nearly a million followers after mentioning or reposting Musk over 120 times.

A notable case is Fidias Panayiotou, a 25-year-old Cypriot influencer who won a surprise European Parliament seat in 2024. After a viral embrace with Musk in January 2023, Panayiotou’s posts saw viewership explode from 300,000 to nearly 10 million on days Musk engaged with him. Musk’s endorsement—“Vote for Fidias. He is smart, super high energy and genuinely cares about you!”—garnered 11.5 million views, bolstering Panayiotou’s campaign to curb EU bureaucracy.

Algorithmic Amplification and Political Impact

The opacity of X’s algorithms makes it difficult to pinpoint exact mechanisms, but researchers suggest Musk has tweaked the platform to amplify his own voice and those of aligned figures. This has drawn scrutiny from European regulators. In January 2025, the EU expanded its investigation into X to examine how it promotes content, while French prosecutors launched a probe in February over allegations of biased algorithm changes.

Musk’s endorsements extend beyond interactions. He has publicly supported far-right parties like Germany’s AfD and Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, while criticizing left-leaning leaders like UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, whom he accused of favoring immigrants over citizens during 2024 anti-migrant riots. His call to free far-right activist Tommy Robinson and suggestion that Britons support Nigel Farage’s Reform party have sparked backlash, with critics like whistleblower Sara Rowbotham questioning his motives as politically driven.

European Concerns Over Foreign Meddling

Musk’s influence has raised alarms about U.S.-based interference in European politics. Christel Schaldemose, a European Parliament vice president focused on electoral integrity, warned, “Every alarm bell needs to ring,” highlighting fears of foreign meddling not from Russia or China, but from Musk’s X. The platform’s role in promoting nationalistic, anti-immigration, and absolutist free-speech agendas has strained trans-Atlantic relations, challenging decades of U.S.-EU alignment.

European leaders, including Starmer, former German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, and French President Emmanuel Macron, have rebuked Musk for his attacks on progressive policies and loose handling of facts. His claim that “civil war is inevitable” in the UK, following unrest, prompted calls from British officials for more responsible platform management.

A Double-Edged Sword

Musk’s vision for X as a “platform for free speech” has made it a haven for controversial voices, but it risks alienating users. Since the U.S. presidential election, 2.7 million users, including prominent journalists and left-leaning figures, have left X for alternatives like Bluesky, frustrated by its rightward tilt. Yet, Musk’s platform remains resilient, driven by his personal draw and fascination with polarizing content.

As Musk continues to shape global discourse, his influence in Europe underscores a broader challenge: balancing free expression with the risks of amplifying divisive ideologies. With investigations ongoing and political tensions rising, X’s role in European politics remains a flashpoint in the global debate over social media’s power.