Elon Musk calls for German Chancellor Scholz’s resignation amid deadly attack at Christmas market

"Scholz should resign immediately," Musk posted on X, adding: "Incompetent fool."

Musk’s comments came in response to reports about a car ramming into a crowd of revellers in Magdeburg, which resulted in the deaths of a nine-year-old boy and four women aged 52, 45, 75, and 67, according to police. Over 200 people are injured, with 41 of them in a critical state, media reports said.

Earlier that day, Musk stirred controversy by endorsing Germany's far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, calling it the “saviour” of the country.

“Only the AfD can save Germany,” Musk posted on X, his social media platform.

Germany prepares for elections

Germany is preparing for elections on February 23 after the collapse of Scholz’s centre-left coalition government.

The German government acknowledged Musk's post but refrained from commenting further during its regular press briefing.

Musk’s history of supporting anti-immigration parties

Musk, the world’s richest person, has a history of supporting anti-immigration parties in Europe.

Earlier, he criticised the German government’s approach to illegal migration and, last month, called for the dismissal of Italian judges questioning the legality of measures aimed at curbing irregular immigration.

Far-right ties and financial support discussions

This week, Nigel Farage, leader of Britain’s right-wing Reform UK party and an ally of Trump, shared a photo of himself meeting Musk at Trump’s Florida residence. Farage claimed discussions were underway with Musk regarding financial support for the party.

Suspect charged in Magdeburg attack

A 50-year-old man suspected of ramming a car into a crowded German Christmas market, killing at least five people and injuring many others, has been charged with murder and attempted murder, police in Magdeburg announced on Sunday.

The attack occurred on Friday in the central German city, and the suspect, identified in German media as Taleb A., has been remanded in pre-trial custody.

The victims

Authorities revealed that the suspect, a Saudi national who has lived in Germany for nearly 20 years, faces charges including five counts of murder, multiple counts of attempted murder, and grievous bodily harm.

Among the deceased were a nine-year-old boy and four women aged 52, 45, 75, and 67, according to police.

Suspect’s background and arrest

German police detained al-Abdulmohsen at gunpoint in the minutes following the accident, as per the footage captured at the time.

Al-Abdulmohsen, a psychiatric and psychotherapy specialist from Hofuf, Saudi Arabia, came to Germany in 2006 and presently lives in Bernburg, as per MailOnline. He has been acknowledged as a refugee since 2016.

Investigating motive

While the motive for the attack remains under investigation, authorities are focusing on the suspect’s outspoken criticism of Germany’s treatment of Saudi refugees.

Media reports indicate that the suspect had supported ex-Muslims, particularly women, in relocating from Saudi Arabia after renouncing their faith.

Increased online activity before the attack

In the days leading up to the attack, his online activity reportedly surged, with posts denouncing the German government for promoting what he described as the "Islamization" of Europe, according to the New York Post.

The bio of his social media account read: "Saudi Military Opposition. Germany chases female Saudi asylum seekers, inside and outside Germany, to destroy their lives. Germany wants to Islamize Europe."

Far-right protest in Magdeburg

The suspect, who has permanent resident status, had also expressed support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and voiced anti-Islamic views on social media.

In the wake of the incident, approximately 2,100 people attended a far-right protest in Magdeburg on Saturday night, organised as a “demonstration against terror” through messaging app Telegram.

Some protesters, wearing black balaclavas, carried a banner emblazoned with the word “remigration,” a term associated with far-right demands for the deportation of migrants. Meanwhile, other residents took part in solemn remembrance events honouring the victims.