Elon Musk stirred controversy during a recent livestreamed chat on X with Alice Weidel, co-leader of the German far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD). The conversation took a bizarre turn as Musk reportedly agreed with Weidel's assertion that Adolf Hitler, the dictator of Nazi Germany, was a communist. This shocking claim has ignited widespread backlash and scrutiny, particularly in light of Hitler's well-known anti-communist ideology.

Both Musk and Weidel had been promoting this chat in the days leading up to it, which many observers found unsettling given Musk's recent support for right-wing politics. According to reports from India Times, Weidel claimed, "the biggest success after that terrible era in our history was to label Adolf Hitler as right-wing and conservative, he was exactly the opposite." Musk appeared to agree, responding with brief affirmations such as "yes, exactly."

This assertion starkly contradicts historical records, including Hitler's own writings. In his autobiography, Mein Kampf, Hitler railed against socialism, condemning it as a Jewish conspiracy aimed at undermining the “Aryan race.” He executed socialists and communists while also invading the Soviet Union, a self-proclaimed communist state, during World War II.

The conversation then shifted to topics including media control and free speech. Weidel argued that without controlling the media, "Hitler would have never been successful." This claim raised flags among German intelligence agencies, which are closely monitoring the chat to ensure compliance with the Digital Services Act ahead of the imminent snap election in Germany.

Currently, Weidel is vying to replace Chancellor Olaf Scholz but faces challenges as the AfD is polling around 20%, positioning them firmly in second place. Musk's history of supporting far-right figures like Tomi Robinson in the UK and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni adds complexity to his recent defense of the AfD, claiming that it’s often mischaracterized, even suggesting that Weidel, who has a same-sex partner from Sri Lanka, stands counter to the extremist labels.

Despite Musk's attempts to clarify his stance, criticism remains prevalent. The AfD has been designated a potential grouping for extremist ideologies by German authorities, heightening awareness regarding their political positions. The Daily Beast has reached out to Musk for clarification regarding his views but has yet to receive a response as of this writing.