Ioana Dorhoi, PhD – Government Relations and Public Affairs

January 10, 2025

Elon Musk’s growing influence in European politics through his social media platform X has become a lightning rod for controversy. With over 211 million followers on the platform, Musk wields immense power to shape discourse and public opinion. His recent foray into British and German politics has drawn sharp criticism from European leaders, prompting calls for stronger regulatory action from the European Union.

Musk’s recent focus on the U.K. has sparked outrage, particularly as he revived the 2013 Rotherham child sexual exploitation scandal. In an attempt to criticize “woke” policies, Musk used the case, which involved the failure of authorities to stop the abuse of around 1,400 children, as an entry point to attack Prime Minister Keir Starmer and promote anti-immigrant rhetoric. His characterization of the scandal echoes harmful Islamophobic and anti-immigrant narratives that have fueled violence and division in the U.K., particularly after similar posts on X last summer. Musk’s remarks have raised alarms about the platform’s role in amplifying hate speech and promoting political agendas that could deepen societal rifts.

Musk’s direct targeting of Starmer, whom he called “utterly despicable,” and his controversial support for far-right figures like Tommy Robinson have further stoked tensions. His call for American intervention in Britain’s politics with a tweet asking if “America should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government” demonstrates the far-reaching influence Musk has over public discourse, not just in the U.S., but in Europe as well.

The criticism has spread to Germany, where Musk has endorsed the far-right, anti-immigration Alternative for Germany (AfD) party ahead of the country’s upcoming elections. Musk’s public support of AfD, which has been classified as a right-wing extremist party by Germany’s domestic intelligence services, is seen as an attempt to meddle in Germany’s political landscape. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz responded by dismissing Musk’s remarks, asserting that in Germany, “the will of the citizens prevails, not the erratic statements of a billionaire from the USA.” Scholz’s message was clear: Germany would not be swayed by the social media platform’s influence.

Musk’s influence on European politics raises critical questions about the role of social media in electoral processes. French President Emmanuel Macron echoed these concerns, remarking on the unprecedented nature of a social media mogul directly intervening in national elections. Macron’s statement highlights the growing concern that platforms like X can be used as vehicles for foreign interference in sovereign affairs, a reality that European leaders are grappling with as they consider how best to respond.

The European Union is under increasing pressure to regulate Musk’s posts, with some leaders suggesting that his actions constitute a form of election interference. Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s foreign minister, has called for a more assertive application of EU laws to curb Musk’s influence, suggesting that if the European Commission does not act decisively, it may be necessary to empower member states to regulate digital content independently. This push for stronger regulation is compounded by the ongoing investigation into X’s compliance with the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which aims to hold social media platforms accountable for spreading harmful content.

In contrast to the more laissez-faire approach in the United States, where free speech protections under the First Amendment provide broad latitude for individuals and platforms alike, European regulators have historically been more aggressive in addressing disinformation and harmful content. The EU’s approach to regulating online speech, exemplified by the DSA, could become a defining moment in the effort to balance freedom of expression with the need to protect democratic integrity from external manipulation.

As European leaders navigate the complexities of regulating digital speech in an interconnected world, the stakes are high. Musk’s influence, amplified by the sheer reach of his platform, poses a new challenge for democratic societies struggling to preserve their electoral processes from foreign and corporate meddling. The EU’s response could set a crucial precedent for how other global democracies tackle the intersection of social media, politics, and regulation in the digital age.

In conclusion, the debate over Musk’s role in European politics is a critical test for the European Union’s regulatory powers. As the EU continues to refine its digital governance, the question remains: Can European democracies safeguard their political discourse from the sway of tech moguls like Musk, or will the balance between free speech and societal harm tip too far? The coming months will reveal the EU’s resolve and ability to protect its political systems from external influence while preserving the fundamental rights that underpin democratic governance.