Elon Musk is undoubtedly one of the most influential and disruptive entrepreneurs of our time. With X.com, the predecessor of PayPal, he revolutionized payments. With Tesla, he shook up the automobile industry, which had been stagnant for over a century. And with SpaceX, he proved that even the seemingly unshakeable structures of NASA could be broken down and overshadowed by private enterprise, through engineering ingenuity and savvy marketing.
Since acquiring X (formerly Twitter), Musk has also actively shaped public discourse, positioning himself as a defender of free speech. Some support his stance, while others are outraged. But as debates rage over his style and comments, the essential point is often overlooked: the why. Musk has a clear mission. And right now, that mission is: America First.
Musk is a Strategist!
Musk thinks strategically – even when it comes to his statements. His recent comments on Germany and the AfD should not be seen as a careless remark, but as a calculated move. In a country like ours, already torn apart by internal political debates and divisions, a well-timed comment can escalate the chaos.
In the United States, geopolitical strategy has long been the engine of economic power. Institutions like the CIA develop studies and scenarios that stretch far beyond the next election cycle. In Germany, however, there is no such strategic engine. Here, foreign policy often feels like a by-product of economic interests. We focus on export markets and short-term profits without pursuing a long-term strategy. The result is strategic paralysis, which other powers – particularly China – exploit. Chinese companies have benefited for years from Europe’s hunger for growth and returns, while Japan protected its own economy from foreign influence. Today, we realize that Germany has become heavily dependent on China in many areas. Shortages of medicines, supply chain disruptions, and price pressure on key technologies are now working against us in the geopolitical power struggle.
A central problem for Europe – and especially Germany – is the lack of a clear identity and purpose. Who are we? What do we want to achieve? And how do we get there? Instead of grappling with these questions, we cling to outdated structures, losing ourselves in moral debates and political power struggles. Our democracy works – but we are held back by our attachment to privileges and the desire to please everyone. We refuse to speak uncomfortable truths and address fundamental reforms. This situation, our self-inflicted paralysis, is being closely watched from the outside – and strategically exploited. By commenting on German politics, Musk is playing on two levels:
First: He is exploiting the current divided political landscape in Germany. Musk knows just how easily outrage can be triggered here. Every time German politicians and the media get upset about his interference, we become more entangled in discussions that paralyze us. The greater the outrage, the less political capital remains for tackling Germany’s pressing issues. Germany loses its clout as both a market participant and a negotiating partner – a clear advantage for the America First agenda.
Second: He diverts attention from problems in the U.S. Musk knows exactly that Europe is superior in many areas: We still build better cars and machines, have more effective healthcare and social systems, and now even safer airplanes. But by focusing attention on our issues – such as migration, economic decline, or allegedly restricted free speech – he strengthens his central narrative in the U.S.: “Too much government is bad.”
Whether this view is accurate is not something I will judge here. But it is clear that Musk has an interest in portraying our social, state-regulated market economy as inefficient. In doing so, he boosts his own credibility in the U.S. while weakening Europe as a negotiating partner.
Paralyzed by Self-Blockade
In the U.S., geopolitical strategy has long been the engine of economic strength. Institutions like the CIA develop studies and scenarios that stretch far beyond the next election cycle. In Germany, however, there is no such strategic engine. Foreign policy here often feels like a byproduct of economic interests. We focus on export markets and short-term profits, without pursuing a long-term strategy. The result is strategic paralysis, which other powers – particularly China – exploit. For years, Chinese companies have benefited from Europe’s hunger for growth and returns, while Japan, the “Land of the Rising Sun,” protected its economy from foreign influence. Today, we realize that Germany has become heavily dependent on China in many areas. Shortages of medicines, disrupted supply chains, and price pressures on key technologies are now working against us in the geopolitical power struggle.
A central issue for Europe – and Germany in particular – is the lack of a clear identity and purpose. Who are we? What do we want to achieve? And how do we get there? Instead of grappling with these questions, we cling to outdated structures and get lost in moral debates or political power struggles. Our democracy works – but we are held back by our attachment to privileges and the pursuit of pleasing everyone. We refuse to speak uncomfortable truths and address fundamental reforms. This situation, our self-imposed paralysis, is being closely watched from the outside – and strategically exploited.
A Lesson for Europe: Less Reacting, More Acting
Musk demonstrates how effective a clear plan and decisive action can be. This is a lesson we must learn! Instead of being outraged, we should derive our own strategic thinking from his approach. In Europe, we need to finally muster the courage to agree on common goals and leverage our strengths. The diversity of our cultures, our economic power, and our innovative capabilities could make us a global player. But for that, we must break free from outdated thinking and confront reality. A united Europe could have the potential to act on equal footing with the U.S. and China – not as a “tugboat” trailing behind foreign interests.
Conclusion:
Elon Musk’s comments on German politics are neither an impulsive diplomatic slip nor just an exchange of opinions. They are part of a well-thought-out policy of self-interest. Instead of getting upset that Musk openly addresses our weaknesses, further deepening divisions within the country, we could take the wind out of his sails by calling things by their name and presenting our own solutions. Of course, this is only possible with a clear vision and decisive action. Only then can we prevent others from exploiting our disunity for their own purposes – and instead shape our own future. It may be an ambitious goal, but the thought is appealing: Europe First.
