07/01/25
Elon Musk’s involvement in South America and Europe, is multifaceted, intertwining his business interests with regional political dynamics, possibly related to him being a military contractor via launch provider services at SpaceX to the US military. This engagement may be seen as part of a broader strategy to counter Chinese influence, support Israeli interests and secure valuable natural resources for his enterprises, particularly lithium, essential for the battery technology used in Tesla’s electric vehicles.
Musk’s Political and Business Interactions in South America
Argentina
In November 2023, Musk publicly endorsed Javier Milei, a far-right politician who won the Argentine elections. This endorsement came shortly after Milei’s interview with Tucker Carlson, which became the most-viewed video on Twitter at that time. Milei’s administration has adopted an anti-China stance, withdrew from joining the BRICS nations, and began dollarising the Argentine economy. Additionally, Milei has initiated policies favorable to American businesses, particularly in securing contracts related to Argentina’s lithium, the world’s fourth-largest lithium supply. Lastly, his pro-Zionist stance has also led to multiple visits to Israel, aligning with Musk’s interests in regions supportive of Western geopolitical goals [1].
Brazil
In Brazil, under President Lula’s administration, Musk faced challenges due to his alignment with far-right factions and his initial lack of a legal representative, which temporarily led to a ban on his services. However, after settling a $5.2 million fine and complying with court orders, the service ban was lifted in October 2024. Musk’s interactions in Brazil may reflect his broader strategy of supporting anti-establishment figures, which aligns with his business interests, especially considering Brazil’s status as a major lithium producer and a significant player in BRICS, the China-led economic block.
Venezuela
Musk has also been involved in Venezuela, particularly during the 2024 presidential elections, where he openly criticised President Nicolás Maduro for election fraud. His platform amplified opposition claims, which coincided with Venezuela’s significant role as a country with the world’s largest proven oil reserves, a major partner of China and a pro-Palestine voice at the UN. This involvement is indicative of Musk’s interest in regions critical to global energy markets and geopolitical strategies [3, 4].
El Salvador
In El Salvador, Musk praised President Bukele’s administration and promoted their shared interviews, signaling support for Bukele’s policies. The historical context of Israeli military involvement in El Salvador, particularly during the Salvadoran Civil War, aligns with Musk’s interest in regions with strategic geopolitical and economic importance, highlighted by El Salvador’s significant gold reserves [5, 6].
Elon Musk’s Influence and Activities in Europe
European Union (EU)
Musk has openly criticised the European Union, particularly labeling it as “undemocratic” in response to regulatory pressures and policy disagreements concerning his businesses. His social media platform, X, has faced scrutiny over its adherence to the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which mandates platforms to manage illegal content and disinformation effectively. Discussions around potentially banning X from the EU have highlighted the tensions between Musk’s business operations and European regulatory frameworks. This conflict underscores the challenges Musk faces in navigating the EU’s robust regulatory environment, which aims to bolster the economic independence and policy sovereignty of its member states [7].
Supporting anti-EU far-right parties across Europe, will leave the EU further divided. With the economic alliance shattered, the continent will have no choice but to seek America’s aid in economic deals, a domain in which China has increasingly gained influence during the last decade. These parties also have strong support for Israel. Securing support for Zionism in powerful European UN governments, especially after loss of support since the genocide in Gaza, is vital for Israel’s future. Musk, having financially worked with Zionist funding in the past and present, would be keen to keep them satisfied. We will take a closer look at each country Musk has been posting about.
United Kingdom (UK)
In the UK, Musk’s political activities have included hinting at financial support to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party, amounting to a planned donation of £78 million. This support came during a period of intense social unrest in 2024, where Musk made controversial statements suggesting that “civil war is inevitable” due to issues like mass migration and open borders.
However, tensions between Farage and Musk have arisen over Musk’s public support of Tommy Robinson. Musk said Farage “doesn’t have what it takes” to lead the Reform Party. This may be an early signal that Musk wants tighter control over Reform’s policy and will go to extreme lengths in order to build the party in his image.
Under his leadership, X has also reinstated accounts of far-right individuals, amplifying their presence and influence in the public sphere. His criticism of former Director of Public Prosecutions, Keir Starmer, over issues related to child grooming gangs further illustrates Musk’s willingness to engage in contentious political debates in the UK [8, 9].
Germany
In Germany, Europe’s largest economy and manufacturing heart, Musk has expressed support for the far-right Zionist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, particularly endorsing its leader Alice Weidel. His statement that “Only the AfD can save Germany” and plans to host Weidel for an online discussion ahead of the national elections in February 2025 highlight his support for anti-immigration and anti-EU sentiments within Germany. This alignment with the AfD reflects Musk’s broader approach of supporting political figures and movements that resonate with his anti-establishment and pro-business ideologies [10].
France
Musk’s political endorsements also extend to France, where he has supported the Zionist Marine Le Pen, the leader of the far-right National Rally party. Praising her stance on national sovereignty and immigration, Musk has referred to her as “France’s best hope for the future.” This endorsement aligns with his pattern of supporting nationalist and anti-EU political figures across Europe, which he perceives as allies in promoting a more favorable business climate for his ventures and challenging the status quo of European politics [11].
[1] The Telegraph. (2024). Argentina lithium triangle and China’s loss is Milei’s trump card. Available at: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2024/05/09/argentina-lithium-triangle-china-milei-trump-card/
[2] Buenos Aires Herald. (2024). Elon Musk welcomes Milei’s victory in Argentina’s 2023 presidential election. Available at: https://buenosairesherald.com/politics/elections/elon-musk-welcomes-mileis-argentina-2023-presidential-election-victory
[3] BBC. (2024). 2024 Venezuelan protests and international responses. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c5ypx0p84rgo
[4] The Diplomat. (2024). China: A silent ally protecting Venezuela’s Maduro. Available at: https://thediplomat.com/2024/07/china-a-silent-ally-protecting-venezuelas-maduro/
[5] Middle East Eye. (2024). Israel and El Salvador: A love in the time of genocide. Available at: https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/israel-and-el-salvador-love-time-genocide
[6] Alpacos. (2024). Defense and technology solutions in El Salvador. Available at: https://www.alpacos.com/elsalvador
[7] Politico. (2024). Elon Musk blasts ‘undemocratic’ EU, new European Commission. Available at: https://www.politico.eu/article/elon-musk-x-blasts-undemocratic-eu-new-european-commission/
[8] AP News. (2024). Musk’s political comments and UK’s child grooming scandal: a timeline. Available at: https://apnews.com/article/britain-musk-politics-child-grooming-c71ed5526145c6330bb6f67b50981787
[9] Al Jazeera. (2024). Why is Elon Musk clashing with the UK government over far-right riots?. Available at: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/8/8/why-is-elon-musk-clashing-with-the-uk-government-over-far-right-riots
[10] Reuters. (2024). Musk likely to host German far-right leader for online chat ahead of 2025 election. Available at: https://www.reuters.com/world/musk-likely-host-german-far-right-leader-online-chat-2025-01-02/
[11] Spectator. (2024). Could Emmanuel Macron be Elon Musk’s next target?. Available at: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/could-emmanuel-macron-be-elon-musks-next-target/
