Elon Musk’s social media activity is having a powerful and controversial impact on European politics. Since acquiring Twitter (now X) in 2022 for $44 billion, Musk has turned his account—now with over 220 million followers—into a digital megaphone for far-right voices across the continent. An Associated Press investigation reveals that even a single retweet or reply from Musk can catapult fringe influencers into mainstream attention, leading to dramatic increases in followers and online visibility.

Across Europe, hard-right politicians and activists have experienced explosive growth in their audiences after interactions with Musk. Figures like UK anti-immigrant agitator Tommy Robinson, German AfD politician Bjoern Hoecke, and Dutch influencer Eva Vlaardingerbroek have all benefited from Musk’s spotlight. Naomi Seibt, a climate change skeptic dubbed the “anti-Greta Thunberg,” saw her posts nearly triple in views on days Musk engaged with her content. Since Musk started interacting with her in 2024, her follower count has grown by over 320,000.

These social media boosts have translated into real-world political influence. Alice Weidel, leader of Germany’s AfD party, saw her daily reach jump from 230,000 to over 2.2 million when Musk shared her posts. After appearing in a Musk-hosted livestream, Weidel’s visibility soared, and her party achieved its best electoral performance to date. In Italy, Vice Premier Matteo Salvini experienced a fourfold spike in viewership on X following Musk’s engagement and has since backed contracts for Musk’s Starlink network.

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One of the most striking cases is that of Fidias Panayiotou, a 25-year-old Cypriot YouTuber who won a surprise seat in the European Parliament after a viral campaign to get a hug from Musk. Their embrace in January 2023 gained millions of views, and since entering politics, Panayiotou has advocated for Musk’s interests in Brussels, including resisting EU regulations that would impact X.

While some celebrate Musk’s use of X as a form of digital democracy, others see it as a dangerous form of foreign influence. Christel Schaldemose, vice president of the European Parliament, has raised alarms about this form of soft power emanating from the U.S., warning that Musk’s unchecked influence could destabilize democratic processes in Europe. As Musk’s platform continues to shape political narratives, his role as a transatlantic kingmaker is drawing increased scrutiny.

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