The European Union attacks Elon Musk: Crazy statements and a huge fine
Tensions escalated between Brussels and US tech mogul Elon Musk, with the European Union on Monday condemning the scathing attack launched by the owner of X (formerly Twitter) against the bloc. This escalation followed the European Commission's imposition of a €120 million (approximately $140 million) fine on the platform for violating the EU's strict digital regulations.
In an official response, EU spokeswoman Paula Pinho described Musk’s remarks as falling under the freedom of expression guaranteed by the Union, but added that this freedom “also allows for completely insane statements,” in a clear reference to Musk’s calls to dismantle the Union.
Details of the mutual attack
The crisis began when Elon Musk criticized the European fine on his official X platform account, explicitly calling for "the abolition of the European Union and the return of sovereignty to member states," arguing that this would enable governments to better represent their people. Musk didn't stop there; in another post, he described the EU as a "bureaucratic monster," affirming his love for Europe as a continent but his aversion to the EU's administrative structure.
Background to the conflict: Digital Services Act (DSA)
To understand the context of this event, it's necessary to refer to the European Union's recently passed Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to regulate major social media platforms and protect users from harmful and misleading content. The fine imposed on X is the result of a high-profile, months-long investigation, in which the Commission found the platform had failed to comply with transparency standards and combat illegal content. This makes it the first real test of how seriously Brussels is enforcing its new laws on tech giants.
The political dimension and American reactions
The conflict was no longer merely technical or legal; it took on an international political dimension with the entry of the new US administration. President Donald Trump's administration was quick to criticize the European fine, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio describing the penalty as "an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people." This defense comes at a time when Trump had previously tasked Musk with leading efforts to reduce government bureaucracy in the United States, reflecting a convergence of views between Musk and the US administration regarding stringent government regulations.
Expected effects and future of the relationship
This clash has profound implications for the future of major technology companies operating in Europe. On the one hand, the European Union is solidifying its position as the world's most stringent regulator of the technology sector, exerting what is known as the "Brussels effect," whereby global companies are forced to adapt their policies to comply with European standards to avoid losing a significant market share. On the other hand, this increased scrutiny could compel companies like X to reassess their presence in the European market or engage in protracted legal battles that could impact the global digital landscape and internet freedom.
