Government spokesman Stephen Hebstreit played down the influence the billionaire businessman can wield Elon Musk in German society in view of the elections of February.

“Normal people, sane people, decent people are the vast majority in this country.

We act as if the statements of Mr. Masks on Twitter (platform X) could influence a country of 84 million people either with lies or half-truths or by voicing opinions. This is simply not the case,” said Mr. Hebstreit commenting on the recent interventions of the businessman and owner of the “X” platform in favor of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) and against Chancellor Olaf Solz and Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier.

Musk has called Scholz “stupid” and claimed he will “lose” the German election scheduled for February 23.

The billionaire has also attacked other German politicians, calling Germany’s president Frank-Walter Steinmeier, who like Scholz comes from the Social Democratic Party, an “anti-democratic tyrant”.

At the same time, he backed the AfD, sparking a political firestorm in Germany, with Berlin accusing him of seeking to interfere in the upcoming election.

The Tesla CEO has become very influential in the political arena, using the social media platform X, which he owns, as a means to promote his views.

He plans to host a chat with AfD leader Alice Weidel, who is the party’s choice for the German chancellor ahead of February’s snap election, next Thursday.

In his interview with Stern, Scholtz promised to “remain cool” in the face of these personal attacks.

“As Social Democrats, we’re used to the fact that there are rich media entrepreneurs who don’t appreciate Social Democratic politics — and they don’t hide their views,” he said.