German Chancellor Olaf Scholz took an opportunity on the campaign trail Tuesday to criticize Elon Musk, telling CNN that the US billionaire “is intervening in favor of right-wing politicians all over Europe.

BERLIN (Reuters) - German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday sharply criticized Elon Musk's backing of the right-wing parties in the European Union, calling it "really disgusting" and said it was hindering democracy in the bloc.

He is a close ally of conservative U.S. President Donald Trump and has, much to the ire of Scholz, spent the past few weeks boosting the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of a national snap election on Feb. 23. The AfD is currently riding high in polls ahead of the vote.

Elon Musk’s controversial gesture, which some interpreted as a Nazi-style salute, drew criticism from Trump’s political opponents and energized fans on the far right.

Musk made the comments, a common refrain among right-wing groups concerning Germany’s World War II crimes, to supporters as part of his support for AfD ahead of the country’s Feb. 23 election. “Children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great-grandparents,” Musk told the audience.

During an interview, the Microsoft founder was quick to put a stop to comparisons between himself and Elon Musk, and laid into the Trump ally for his involvement with foreign politics.

Elon Musk continues to champion right-wing politics in Europe. Musk shared an X post on Saturday that invoked President-elect Donald Trump's world-famous campaign slogan, "Make America Great Again." "From MAGA to MEGA: Make Europe Great Again!

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday sharply criticized Elon Musk's backing of the right-wing parties in the European Union, calling it "really disgusting" and said it was hindering democracy in the bloc.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz criticized Elon Musk for supporting right-wing European parties, calling it detrimental to democracy. Musk's involvement in German politics, particularly his support for the AfD,

The chairman of the World Holocaust Remembrance Center has accused Elon Musk of insulting victims of Nazism after the billionaire told a German far-right political party that the country needed to “move beyond” the “guilt” of the past.

Musk's support for AfD has helped what was once a fringe political party enter the mainstream, lifting it up in front of a global audience.