Leaked Emails Reveal Alice Weidel’s Shift on Björn Höcke and AfD’s US Ties

Key points

• Hackers released 420,000 emails and 48,000 documents from the AfD, confirming a breach of a hosting provider in late September 2026.
• Emails from 2015-2017 show Alice Weidel calling Björn Höcke’s racial language 'deeply problematic' and urging his expulsion for using Nazi-era terminology.
• Weidel recently reversed her position, stating Höcke is suitable for a federal cabinet position and praising his leadership in Thuringia.
• The leak reveals the AfD’s long-standing attempts to build ties with US figures, including a 2016 telegram to Trump and contacts with Steve Bannon.
• The AfD condemned the breach as an attack on democracy, while hackers claimed the release was for 'transparency and public accountability.'

Background

The AfD has faced increasing scrutiny from German intelligence services, which classified it as a 'confirmed right-wing extremist organisation' in May 2025, a decision later suspended by a court. The party has also faced internal tensions over its proximity to neo-Nazi groups, a concern Weidel raised in the leaked emails. This breach follows earlier reports of the party’s close ties to US right-wing figures, including Vice President JD Vance and Donald Trump, who praised the AfD’s electoral successes in 2026.

How outlets are covering it

Politico and WELT focus on Weidel’s personal reversal regarding Höcke, highlighting her earlier condemnation of his racist rhetoric and her current support for his cabinet candidacy. Bitdefender emphasizes the technical aspects of the breach, noting that the leak may have resulted from an unpatched website and that the released data includes AI-generated summaries, which party sources claim contain inaccuracies. Yahoo highlights the AfD’s decade-long efforts to court US allies, including Trump and Steve Bannon, and notes the party’s hardline anti-immigration stance and connections to neo-Nazi figures. The AfD itself condemns the leak as an attack on democracy, while hackers claim the release was motivated by 'transparency and public accountability.'

Why it matters

The leak exposes internal contradictions within the AfD, particularly Weidel’s shift from opposing Höcke’s extremist rhetoric to supporting his political ambitions. It also reveals the party’s long-standing efforts to build international ties with US right-wing figures, raising questions about the AfD’s alignment with foreign interests and its impact on German democracy. The breach underscores the party’s vulnerability to cyberattacks and the potential for internal dissent to be exposed through leaked communications.

What to watch

The AfD may face increased scrutiny from German authorities and the public over its internal communications and ties to US allies. Weidel and Höcke may need to address the leaked emails and their implications for the party’s image and political strategy. The hackers may continue to release additional documents, potentially revealing more about the party’s internal dynamics and external connections. The AfD may also face legal and political consequences for the breach, including potential investigations into its cybersecurity practices.