A significant controversy has erupted in Germany following a dispute between tech entrepreneur Elon Musk and the public broadcaster ZDF.
The conflict stems from a report on “ZDFheute live” regarding recent anti-immigrant riots in Belfast, during which the broadcaster claimed Musk had advocated for a “migrant hunt” in his social media commentary regarding Northern Ireland.
On Monday, Musk denounced the broadcaster’s characterization as a “terrible lie” and announced he is pursuing legal action. In response, ZDF has removed the contested segment from its broadcast.
The disagreement traces back to June 9, when Musk shared a post from British far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Following a knife attack involving a Sudanese national in Belfast, Robinson had called for protests. Musk commented on the post, stating: “Only by protesting REPEATEDLY and LOUDLY will there be any change!!”
ZDF has confirmed that Musk, acting through a German law firm, issued a cease-and-desist demand regarding the June 12 edition of “ZDFheute live” titled “Riots in Belfast – How Musk is fuelling the protests.” The broadcaster stated it has complied by removing the disputed introductory passage and had previously added a corrective transparency note to the program on Saturday.
Additionally, a disclaimer was appended to the online version of the broadcast, with ZDF acknowledging that its phrasing was “imprecise and potentially misleading.”
Reporting from the BBC noted that the US-based Centre for Countering Digital Hate identified social media as playing a “key role” in inciting the violence in Belfast. The organization further alleged that Musk amplified “anti-migrant narratives” originated by others, significantly expanding their reach to millions of followers.
Political Support from the German Right
The Alternative for Germany (AfD) has voiced its support for Musk amidst the confrontation with ZDF.
AfD co-leader Alice Weidel commented on X, stating: “Defamation shouldn’t go without consequences. Don’t let them get away with it.” Musk has increasingly supported the AfD and various other far-right political movements across Europe in recent years.
The tension has been further escalated by Julian Reichelt, editor-in-chief of the right-wing news portal. The former Bild editor-in-chief criticized the broadcaster on X, asserting that ZDF fabricated the claim regarding Musk’s call for a “hunt for migrants.”
“ZDF simply invents the claim that Elon Musk ‘called for a hunt for migrants.’ In fact, Musk wrote on X: ‘Only by protesting REPEATEDLY and LOUDLY will there be any change!!’ How much longer are we going to accept that this state forces us to pay for the propaganda lies it tells us?” Reichelt wrote, also questioning the use of AI and lack of accountability at ZDF.
In his defense of Musk, Reichelt also touched upon the issue of Germany’s public broadcasting license fees, a primary policy target for the AfD.
