The publicity was a potential boon for AfD, which has been frozen out of mainstream politics, in part, because its leaders have downplayed Nazi atrocities.

Musk tested the boundaries of foreign election interference, hosting AfD co-leader Alice Weidel for a livestream interview on X.

Germany's far-right chancellor candidate was granted an audience with billionaire Elon Musk — albeit online and audio only. The meandering conversation may not have helped Alice Weidel as much as she hoped,