Germany’s foreign and defense ministries announced on Wednesday that they are shifting their communication strategies away from X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk. The defense ministry cited increasing dissatisfaction with the platform’s recent developments as a key factor in the decision.
Musk has been at the center of controversy in European politics, making remarks that include calls for UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s removal, branding German Chancellor Olaf Scholz as an “incompetent fool,” and encouraging votes for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD). His posts have often implied criticism of immigration policies and other sociopolitical issues that he perceives as threats to national stability.
Although neither German ministry explicitly referenced Musk’s political interventions—including his recent live discussion on X with AfD leader Alice Weidel—as the reason behind their strategic shift, the growing unease surrounding the platform was evident.
“We have become increasingly unhappy with developments there,” a spokesperson for the defense ministry stated during a press briefing. While the ministry has not ruled out engaging with disinformation on X, its primary public communication will now transition to Meta’s WhatsApp.
The foreign ministry also underscored its commitment to adapting its digital presence, indicating that it continuously evaluates the platforms where it engages. As a result, it has chosen to strengthen its activity on the emerging social network, BlueSky.
Despite Musk’s assertions that X’s user base has expanded since his acquisition of the platform in 2022, independent studies and industry research suggest the opposite. In recent weeks, an increasing number of German and UK universities, along with research institutions, have opted to disengage from X.
This trend poses a more significant challenge for social networks than the departure of individual users. Institutions play a critical role in shaping a platform’s credibility and appeal by contributing verified information that fosters robust discussions and strengthens network effects. Their departure could erode X’s position as a reliable hub for discourse.
Written by Alius Noreika
