Germany’s annual carnival in Düsseldorf, known for its bold and politically charged floats, featured a striking depiction of Elon Musk holding a swastika.
Musk had endorsed the far-right AfD party in the German elections, which has faced criticism for its links to Nazi ideology. Just days ago, Musk was also seen making a hand gesture at the Capitol One Arena, which many on social media compared to a Nazi salute.
What is the Swastika?
Historically, the swastika was an ancient religious symbol, but it became infamous after Adolf Hitler adopted tweaked version of it as the emblem of the Nazi Party in 1920. The Nazi symbol is actually the reverse of the Swastika used in Hindu religion. By the end of World War II, the swastika was associated with military brutality, fascism, and genocide.
Is the Swastika banned in Germany?
In Germany, displaying Nazi symbols is illegal and can result in up to three years in prison. However, exceptions exist for artistic purposes. German media house Deutsche Welle notes that enforcement is often inconsistent, with authorities deciding case-by-case whether a depiction qualifies as permissible.
A former US State Department official criticised the Musk float, arguing that German authorities selectively apply their laws. He tweeted, “The German police will kick down your door and jail you if you insult a politician, but if you’re attacking Elon, you can parade a full-on swastika down the street.”
Other political figures mocked at the carnival
The Düsseldorf parade didn’t just target Musk. Many world leaders were the subject of bold, sometimes shocking satire, reported The Telegraph. One float depicted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy being crushed between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump, with the caption “Hitler-Stalin Pact 2.0.”
Another sculpture portrayed Alice Weidel, leader of the far-right AfD, as the witch from Hansel and Gretel, offering a swastika-shaped biscuit to a child representing first-time voters. This was a clear jab at the AfD’s recent electoral gains and its controversial reputation.
Other floats included a naked depiction of Trump, Putin, and Chinese President Xi Jinping with slogans like “Make China Great Again” tattooed on their bodies. Another showed Putin as a prisoner in a striped uniform, symbolising alleged war crimes in Ukraine.
The carnival was held under strict security, with heavily armed police deployed across the event.
