Elon Musk has endorsed Călin Georgescu as Romania's next president. But what happens when a tech billionaire and a far-right Romanian politician collide? A political firestorm. In a world where billionaires and populists are manipulating elections in the name of 'democracy', Mimi Mihăilescu shows how Musk has succeeded in weaponising Romania's sovereignty
It’s not every day that one of the world’s richest men decides to weigh in on Romanian politics. Elon Musk, self-proclaimed defender of free speech, has thrown his considerable digital weight behind Călin Georgescu, Romania’s rising far-right figure.
Musk’s endorsement wasn’t subtle. He shared a post on X supporting Georgescu’s call to ban the so-called 'Soros network' in Romania. This instantly sent Georgescu’s supporters into a frenzy, because it echoed their chants of Romania deserves its own sovereignty! at country-wide protests. Musk was responding to Georgescu’s declaration that: 'On my first official day, the entire Soros network will be banned personally by me. We know who they are; it’s very clear'.
But is that true? Does Musk’s post really signal Trump’s approval of Georgescu? Or is this yet another example of the far right twisting reality to fit its narrative? It doesn’t matter. Perception is reality in the digital age, and Musk’s post on X was all Georgescu’s movement needed to claim a global endorsement.
If you believe Georgescu and his supporters, Romania is entangled in a vast, shadowy web spun by George Soros. Soros’ organisations, they claim, are secretly controlling the government, the media, the universities... probably even your book club. Georgescu's followers often share lists of so-called Sorosists — journalists, academics, and NGOs accused of working against Romania’s interests.
This isn’t new. For decades, politicians have used Soros-related conspiracy theories as political tools. Hungary’s Viktor Orbán exploits them for state propaganda, and Trump’s allies manipulate them to justify everything from fear of immigration to claims of election fraud. Now, Georgescu has repackaged the same narrative in Romania.
But why George Soros? Soros is the perfect enemy: symbolising globalism, progressive causes, and liberal democracy, he is everything Georgescu's supporters oppose. And Soros' philanthropy funds pro-democracy movements, making him a convenient scapegoat for nationalist conspiracies.
Musk, whose alignment with far-right rhetoric is also not new, is adding fuel to the fire with his endorsement of Georgescu. X has long been a breeding ground for Soros conspiracies, and Musk has reinforced them. Just last year, he accused Soros of wanting to 'erode the very fabric of civilization'. So is it not surprising that he’d back a man who promises to rid Romania of the 'Soros network'.
While Musk is amplifying a far-right Romanian politician’s anti-Soros rhetoric, the US government is pressuring Romania to allow Georgescu to run for office. Recent reports reveal that US officials have urged Romania not to block Georgescu’s candidacy. Why? Because banning candidates doesn’t look good for democracy. But this creates a paradox: on the one hand, Georgescu and his supporters claim they’re resisting Western influence; on the other, American intervention is, arguably, helping him stay in the race. For Georgescu’s camp, it's a win-win. If he's allowed to run, Georgescu can claim it’s proof that the people support him. If he’s blocked, it’s proof that the 'Soros-controlled' West is trying to silence him.
Yet, this is not the first time the US has interfered in Romania's election under the guise of defending democracy. At the Munich Security Conference on 14 February, US Vice President JD Vance, although he did not explicitly endorse Georgescu, specifically referenced Romania’s annulment of its November 2024 presidential election, in which Georgescu had led in the first round before the Constitutional Court intervened, citing electoral irregularities.
Many in the media interpreted Vance’s comments as a rebuke of the Romanian government for blocking a far-right candidate. Musk has endorsed this interpretation:
But is all this really about democracy? Or is it about pushing a populist, nationalist leader who aligns with the Trump administration’s foreign policy goals?
Georgescu has repeatedly suggested he has the backing of Donald Trump. Of course, Trump himself has never officially confirmed this. But this is where Musk comes in. For Georgescu’s followers, Musk’s endorsement on X is all the proof they need, especially in the post-truth era. If enough high-profile figures say Georgescu's name, his supporters will fill in the gaps.
In a dramatic escalation of Romania's political turmoil, Călin Georgescu has been arrested and charged with six criminal offences, including falsifying campaign finances, and supporting fascist organisations. After five hours of inquiry, Georgescu left the Public Prosecutor's Office. Surrounded by supporters, he mimicked Elon Musk’s controversial Roman salute.
The gesture has been widely criticised for its resemblance to a fascist salute. Musk brushed off such concerns, but for the far-right, this kind of ambiguity is a gift. By copying Musk, Georgescu wasn’t just paying tribute to a billionaire ally; he was reinforcing his alignment with their movement.
Positioning himself as Romania’s saviour against the Soros network is not just Georgescu's campaign strategy, it’s his entire political identity. The fact that Musk and Vance have, in different ways, amplified his cause only strengthens his legitimacy among the Romanian far right, and reinforces his supporters' perception that Georgescu is Romania’s last defence against globalist control.
Musk’s endorsement won’t be the last time a Western figure endorses Romanian far-right politics. Georgescu’s populist strategy to cast himself as the man who will 'destroy the Soros network' is clearly working. The interventions of Musk and Vance in Romanian politics highlight a disturbing trend: the growing influence of US tech moguls and far-right politicians in shaping European elections. Their support for Georgescu is not just about Romania, but part of a larger ideological battle over the future of Western democracies.
You do you. Just don't present your opinions as facts. Oh yeah, and let the people vote whoever they want, that's all.
This article is aberration Soros is a dictator for the left he is the only one against law and order his money is supporting criminals ,illegals and has damage many countries.
To whomever wrote this article: why say it all like there's "good" and "bad" sides?
Whatever agenda you have, know this: Romanians are tired of empty promising and want something new. A leader that for once might actually help Romania, not bury it into the ground.
He's not "good" or "bad". No politician ever was. But he does seem different and that's what we need, something to change.
So take ur political agenda elsewhere
What a shame to propagate lies and insults to the person that the Romanian majority puts their hope in, to help them navigate with sanity and dignity through the troubled times that come. Enemies of democracy and freedom, calling names to the rightful. And the creature is young, already thinking like a dinosaur. Shame, shame, shame on you!
Who are you to decide whom the people have a right to vote and whom not? Who are you to repeat accusations KNOWN and PROVED to be FAKE. This all becomes a fake news journal, herewith.
Călin Georgescu is the people's preferred candidate!
Călin Georgescu significantly led the first round of elections. During the second round, while voting was ongoing, the SYSTEM annulled the elections because Călin Georgescu was ahead with over 75%. On December 6, 2024, there was a COUP D'ÉTAT, and this fact is known worldwide! Călin Georgescu's campaign expenses were zero; the Romanians came together and promoted their Leader freely!
The six criminal charges are entirely fabricated, and for more than a year, the SYSTEM has failed to produce any evidence because there is none. The Romanian populace is consistently protesting because their votes were invalidated and elections were canceled without any justification, solely because the SYSTEM that has governed Romania for over 36 years was on the verge of facing life imprisonment! Călin Georgescu has the backing of over 80% of the Romanian population! The citizens will not relent until justice is served, and Călin Georgescu becomes the President of Romania!!!
Călin Georgescu is the candidate supported by the Romanian people, not a media fabrication.
Any attempt to discredit him through labels, insinuations, or unsubstantiated accusations represents a serious manipulation of international public opinion.
Călin Georgescu won the first round of the elections by a clear margin. During the second round, while voting was still ongoing and he was already leading by a decisive score, the elections were abusively annulled. On December 6, 2024, Romania witnessed an unprecedented act for a country that claims to be democratic: the annulment of the people’s will.
For over one year, Călin Georgescu has been subjected to continuous political persecution. He has been summoned weekly to police authorities and repeatedly sent through courts, without any real progress in the case. Moreover, judges have refused to hear his case, as no one is willing to assume responsibility for a politically fabricated file lacking credible evidence.
The accusations brought against him are artificially constructed, and after more than a year, no concrete evidence has been presented. Had such evidence existed, it would have been made public long ago. Its absence confirms the political nature of these actions.
Călin Georgescu’s campaign was conducted without hidden funding, without party budgets, and without the backing of power structures. It was an authentic, grassroots civic mobilization, driven by citizens who freely supported their candidate. This clearly unsettled a SYSTEM that has controlled Romania for more than 36 years.
At the same time, his supporters are being systematically intimidated. They are threatened, fined, and subjected to various forms of pressure and blackmail simply for expressing their views. Freedom of expression is severely undermined—any speech, comment, or social media post that does not align with the official narrative is censored, removed, or penalized.
Romanians are protesting not because of manipulation, but because fundamental rights are being consistently violated: their votes were annulled, free expression is suppressed, and political opposition is being silenced.
Any publication that claims objectivity should investigate these facts rather than repeat narratives convenient to those in power.
The truth is straightforward: Călin Georgescu enjoys majority public support, and the Romanian people will not give up until their democratic will is respected.