Germany’s Scholz responds to Musk, saying freedom of speech should not again extreme-right

DAVOS, Switzerland (Reuters) – German Chancellor Olaf Scholz stated on Tuesday he doesn’t assist freedom of speech when it’s used for extreme-right views, a day after a hand gesture by U.S. billionaire Elon Musk brought on uproar throughout Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities.

“We now have the liberty of speech in Europe and in Germany. Everybody can say what he needs, even when he’s a billionaire. And what we don’t settle for is that if that is supporting extreme-right positions,” Scholz stated in Davos when requested concerning the incident.

Musk’s hand gesture throughout a celebration of President Trump’s inauguration drew on-line comparisons to a Nazi salute.

Musk dismissed the criticism as a “drained” assault.

“Disgrace on Oaf Schitz,” Musk posted on X, the platform he owns, on Tuesday with a video clip shared by one other person that confirmed Scholz talking on the annual assembly of the World Financial Discussion board within the Swiss resort.

“Schitz” has no which means in German.

Musk has beforehand attacked Scholz on X, calling him an “incompetent idiot” who ought to resign after a lethal assault at a German Christmas market.

He has additionally used the platform previously referred to as Twitter to sign his assist for the far-right Various for Germany (AfD) get together forward of elections scheduled for subsequent month.

Musk’s repeated endorsement of the AfD, the get together that has embraced the Trump administration most amongst German events, has drawn ire in Berlin, however the German authorities has stopped wanting unanimously leaving his platform.

The European Fee stated this month that it was stepping up its investigation into whether or not X breached European Union guidelines on content material moderation.

Musk’s internet hosting of AfD chief Alice Weidel for a dialogue on X this month was watched by the European Fee to examine for any spreading of misinformation.