In a stunning development that has sent shockwaves through the Jewish community, Elon Musk, the influential billionaire adviser to President Donald Trump, delivered an address to Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party on Friday. The speech, in which Musk appeared to encourage the party to move beyond their Nazi past and made two apparent fascist-style salutes, has raised deep concerns about the rise of extremism and its implications for Jews around the world.
A Dangerous Alignment
Halie Soifer, chief executive of the Jewish Democratic Council of America, did not mince words in her reaction. “Speaking as a deeply concerned American Jew,” she told the Guardian, “I am deeply concerned about the security of American Jews, of Jews worldwide, given our president’s clear alignment with dangerous rightwing extremists.”
Musk’s appearance at the AfD event, where he encouraged the audience to “move beyond” their focus on “past guilt” and gave what appeared to be fascist salutes, comes at a particularly sensitive time. Just this week, world leaders gathered to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, the notorious Nazi death camp. The symbolism was lost on no one.
Empowering Extremists
Soifer sees Musk’s actions as part of a broader and more sinister pattern. “The salute, the message to the AfD, the fact that he is willing to joke about the criticism he is getting, it all demonstrates that [those around Trump] are unwilling to recognize how dangerous their words and actions are,” she said. “They don’t deserve the benefit of the doubt when it comes to this alignment. It has been a steady stream of signaling to rightwing extremists that they have an ally now in the White House.”
The concerns are not just rhetorical. On his first day back in office, Trump pardoned more than 1,500 people convicted for their roles in the deadly January 6th Capitol riot, a move that was widely seen as a green light to violent extremists. He has also signed executive orders instituting hardline immigration policies, including plans for mass deportations.
An Ominous Silence
Perhaps most troubling of all was what Trump did not say. As of Monday evening, the President had yet to issue any statement marking Holocaust Remembrance Day, a glaring omission that Soifer was quick to point out. “Donald Trump is taking Elon’s advice to ‘move beyond’ the Holocaust,” she noted. “But he did pardon the ‘Camp Auschwitz’ insurrectionist just in time for the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.”
The White House eventually released a brief statement after 10pm, designating the day as a “National Day of Remembrance.” But for many, it was too little, too late. The damage had been done.
A Chilling Interference
While Soifer acknowledged that her role at the helm of the Jewish Democratic Council might lead some to view her concerns as partisan, she insisted that the stakes transcend politics. Musk’s alignment with the AfD, she argued, represents a form of “election interference” on the eve of crucial German elections, in addition to being “incredibly dangerous” given the party’s extremist views.
“It is not the norm,” Soifer emphasized, “for a senior adviser to the US president to align with a [foreign] political party in advance of elections.” It’s a precedent that should alarm us all.
Opening Our Eyes
As the Jewish community and all those opposed to the resurgence of fascism grapple with these developments, Soifer urged vigilance and vocal opposition. “Words and signaling have dangerous consequences,” she warned, “and Trump and his allies, including Elon Musk, are giving a green light to extremists.”
“It’s important that American voters, especially those who may have supported Donald Trump, open their eyes and see what’s right in front of them,” Soifer concluded. “He said he would be a dictator on day one, and for once he is making good on his promise.”
As the world watches anxiously, it remains to be seen how far this alignment of power and extremism will go – and what the ultimate cost will be, for the Jewish community and for us all. One thing is certain: we ignore these warning signs at our own peril.
