BERLIN — Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and a close adviser to President-elect Donald Trump, on Friday endorsed Germany’s far-right party, a group with ties to neo-Nazis whose youth wing has been classified as “confirmed extremist” by German domestic intelligence.

“Only the AfD can save Germany,” Musk posted to the social platform X, referring to the anti-immigrant party, the Alternative for Germany, by its German initials.

In doing so, he is wading into German politics at a time of turmoil. The German government recently collapsed, leading to early elections planned for next year.

Musk’s post was in response to an English-language video by a 24-year-old German far-right influencer, Naomi Seibt. She harshly criticized Friedrich Merz, whom polls show leading the race, for dismissing a rival’s suggestion that Germany look to Musk and another firebrand, President Javier Milei of Argentina, for ideas about reforming the country.

Seibt also criticized Merz for ruling out joining any coalition with the AfD.

— The New York Times