German Defense Ministry suspends X account

The German Defense Ministry is withdrawing from X, citing challenges in maintaining factual dialogue on the platform.

Germany’s Defense Ministry and the Bundeswehr have announced their cessation of X (formerly Twitter) postings, attributing the decision to the increasing difficulty of engaging in factual discussions on Elon Musk’s platform.

Musk has openly criticized the German government, accusing it of promoting a “woke mind virus” and leading the nation towards ruin. He has gone as far as to endorse the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party and recently interviewed its leader, Alice Weidel.

“Our X channel will be inactive until further notice; we will not be posting actively for the time being,” the ministry declared on Wednesday. “This decision stems from the growing difficulty in maintaining a factual exchange on this platform.”

According to a statement on the ministry’s website, communication with the public will continue through press releases, a WhatsApp group, YouTube, Instagram, and other social media channels. The Bundeswehr retains the right to use X in response to disinformation campaigns.

This action follows over 60 German universities and research institutions leaving X, citing escalating radicalization. Two labor unions and the highest federal court have also abandoned the platform.

Since acquiring Twitter in October 2022, citing concerns about excessive censorship under previous management, Musk rebranded it as X. Attempts by proponents of fact-checking and disinformation control to establish alternatives like Threads and Bluesky have failed to significantly impact X’s user base.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz will continue using X “for the time being,” his spokesperson told reporters in Berlin on Wednesday. “It’s a delicate balancing act,” the spokesperson stated, acknowledging X’s contentious nature.

The “controversy” centers on Musk’s endorsement of the AfD and his interview with Weidel. He employed a similar tactic last year in supporting Donald Trump’s US presidential campaign, which ultimately proved successful.

The German establishment has consistently labeled the AfD as extremist, yet its popularity has recently surged due to its stances on immigration and the economy. Scholz’s “traffic light” coalition dissolved in November, leading to upcoming parliamentary elections in late February.