this post was submitted on 16 Jul 2026
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Billionaire Elon Musk has thrown his support behind far-right leader Marine Le Pen's bid for the French presidency, calling her "France's last hope", and prompting accusations of foreign interference in the 2027 election.

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[–] You@feddit.org 42 points 4 days ago

Why does this sound so familiar to me?

US billionaire Elon Musk has reiterated his call to vote for the AfD in the Bundestag election. In an opinion piece for Welt am Sonntag, Musk writes that Alternative for Germany (AfD) is the last glimmer of hope for this country.

Translated from German article - Deutschlandfunk - Elon Musk bezeichnet AfD als „der letzte Funke Hoffnung“ für Deutschland

Musk is so predictably boring. It stopped being funny a long, long time ago.

[–] comrade_twisty@feddit.org 34 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (3 children)

Revoke the license for Starlink in France and Germany and put a 200% import tax on Tesla. Foreign election interference is illegal.

[–] P00ptart@lemmy.world 14 points 4 days ago

And ban Xitter.

[–] Siegfried@lemmy.world 6 points 4 days ago

I support this

[–] TheEighthDoctor@lemmy.zip 1 points 3 days ago

How about a strongly worded letter instead

[–] eicker@lemmy.world 22 points 4 days ago (1 children)

The richest man on Earth buying influence in other countries while calling it free speech was always going to end badly. If any other billionaire tried steering US elections from abroad, the outrage would be deafening. Funny how principles become optional when your favorite oligarch is involved.

[–] bob_lemon@feddit.org 9 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

Isn't this what the right accuses George Soros of? So the outrage is already there.

[–] eicker@lemmy.world 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) (1 children)

That's comparing apples and oranges: Musk supports the far right (even extremists) that's fighting democracy, Soros supports democrats.

[–] skaffi@infosec.pub 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

No, it's comparing apples to rotten apples. It is the same thing, it is using excessive personal wealth to influence politics, but obviously one of the two is much more disgusting, and even damaging to your health than the other.

[–] eicker@lemmy.world -1 points 3 days ago

The issue isn’t whether wealthy people try to influence politics: many do. The distinction is what they’re promoting. Equating support for mainstream democratic parties with support for parties or movements accused of undermining democratic institutions erases an important difference. 'Rich people spend money on politics' is the similarity. The political goals and consequences are where the comparison breaks down.

[–] Zombie@feddit.uk 27 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Hopefully JD Vance throws his weight behind her as well. Then she's guaranteed to lose

[–] Texas_Hangover@lemmy.radio 12 points 4 days ago

Hell, if she takes a meeting with Vance she might die. Just like that pope.

[–] stumpelrilzchen@feddit.org 4 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Hopefully JD Vance throws his weight behind her as well. Then she's guaranteed to ~~lose~~ die

FTFY
#popekiller

[–] fisch@lemmy.world 9 points 4 days ago

For context: Elon Musk spent almost 300 million Dollars to help Trump win in the US. The largest party in Germany received about 5 million dollars in large donations for the last election. I assume it looks similar in France. This is NOTHING for Musk. If he wants to buy the election, he can - easily.

It's time for the EU to limit the amount individuals can donate to political causes. And to make any donations from companies illegal. 10k per person, per year. Who has this much money to spare anyway? If you have more money lying around that you don't need, how about donating to charity instead?

[–] esperal@pawb.social 8 points 4 days ago

And FYI Marine Le Pen has just been sentenced to a (surprisingly low) fine and a year wearing an electronic tag a few days ago because of her mutiple European embezzlement.

And guess what, judges also sentenced her to an interdiction to present herself to any elections, but said sentence ends before actual French presidential elections in 2027. I'm so mad at this.

[–] magnetosphere@fedia.io 13 points 4 days ago (1 children)

An American calling Le Pen “France’s last hope” might cause some Le Pen supporters to reconsider

[–] Polaris@jlai.lu 11 points 4 days ago

we can only hope

[–] huppakee@lemmy.world 7 points 4 days ago

Can someone get grok to build a guillotine for Elmo? That'd be great.

[–] stylusmobilus@aussie.zone 4 points 4 days ago

Yeah they’re turning their attention on the rest of us now the US has folded. Australia is under assault by Seppo froth politics, their fucking CPAC and their funding.

Fuck American voters and their selfishness. All because they can’t get off their arses and do their national duty.

[–] istdaslol@feddit.org 3 points 4 days ago (2 children)

Isnt she banned from participating in the next election ?

[–] Uruanna@lemmy.world 2 points 3 days ago

Her sentence was shortened and ends right before the election.

[–] SaveTheTuaHawk@lemmy.ca 1 points 4 days ago

Not if there isn't an election!

[–] JakenVeina@midwest.social 2 points 4 days ago (1 children)

Christ, home many elections does she have to lose before she takes a hint?

[–] pulsey@feddit.org 2 points 3 days ago

She only has to win once