Elon Musk told supporters of the anti-immigrant far-Right AfD party to not feel “guilty” about the country’s Nazi past as he made a surprise video appearance at a rally in Germany.

Addressing a hall of 4,500 people alongside party leader Alice Weidel, Mr Musk spoke live via video link about preserving German culture and protecting the German people.

“It’s good to be proud of German culture, German values, and not to lose that in some sort of multiculturalism that dilutes everything,” Mr Musk said.

Last week, he caused uproar after he made a gesture that drew online comparisons to a Nazi salute during US President Donald Trump’s inauguration festivities.

On Saturday, he said “children should not be guilty of the sins of their parents, let alone their great grandparents,” apparently referring to Germany’s Nazi past. 

“There is too much focus on past guilt, and we need to move beyond that,” he said.

Mr Musk told the gathering in the eastern city of Halle that their party was “the best hope for the future of Germany”.