Entrepreneurship and venture capital are my life—it who I am and how I was formed. I thrive on the energy of builders and find inspiration in the bold, crazy minds inventing groundbreaking technologies. Because of this deep love for the industry, I am committed to advocating for a better, more objective public image of founders. However, this commitment also requires calling out entrepreneurs when they go astray. Today, I feel I have to talk about @elonmusk —a founder I truly respect for all he has achieved. A few hours ago, Musk wrote: “Only the AfD can save Germany.” This statement shocked me. I believe he either doesn’t understand what he is saying, or he is saying it on purpose for reasons I don’t understand. Whatever the reason, someone as influential as Musk needs to think more carefully about the impact of his words. This kind of statement risks making all founders look naive or even irresponsible, and that’s dangerous for our industry. Why Musk Is Wrong: The AfD, led by people like Björn Höcke, would be a disaster for Germany and Europe. Höcke’s ideas go against capitalism and free markets, which are the foundation of our economy. The AfD also has an anti-EU stance, which could isolate Germany and harm its export-driven economy. Yes, the EU is slow and needs reform, but breaking its free trade system would hurt everyone. On top of that, the AfD uses nationalist and sometimes xenophobic language, which divides people instead of bringing them together. Their ideas about immigration and their closeness to Russia are harmful and could damage Germany’s important partnerships, especially with the United States. Germany and the US are allies in protecting freedom and democracy, and these relationships should be strengthened, not weakened. The AfD’s simple, one-sided approach to Ukraine also shows how dangerous their ideas are for Europe’s security. Musk’s statement oversimplifies Germany’s problems. It ignores the fact that other parties and coalitions could solve these issues in a more balanced way. Supporting the AfD doesn’t help—it risks damaging Germany’s economy, its position in the EU, and its social unity. Musk is one of the most influential people in the world. His words matter. I wish he would use them more carefully, because statements like this can harm not only Germany but also the image of founders everywhere.