Elon Musk has intensified his focus on European leaders, using his influential platform on X, the social media network he acquired for $44 billion in 2022.
With 211.5 million followers, Musk has consistently leveraged the platform to voice political grievances and amplify far-right issues.
Recently, Musk has turned his attention to European political matters, particularly in the United Kingdom.
He has invoked a years-old child exploitation scandal to criticize Prime Minister Keir Starmer and promote anti-immigrant rhetoric. Meanwhile, European leaders are contemplating regulatory measures in response to Musk’s activities on X.
Musk’s Involvement in British Politics
Late last month, Musk revisited the infamous “grooming gangs” cases in the U.K.
These cases, particularly the Rotherham scandal, involved authorities failing to prevent the sexual exploitation of approximately 1,400 children over 16 years.
Musk used the scandal to criticize “woke” and anti-racist policies, issues often championed by the American right wing and Musk’s U.S. supporters.
The Rotherham cases largely involved British-Pakistani men, and Musk’s comments echoed Islamophobic and anti-immigrant rhetoric. Similar sentiments fueled a surge of violence in the U.K. last summer, spurred by posts on X.
In a Sunday poll on X, Musk provocatively asked whether “America should liberate the people of Britain from their tyrannical government.
He intensified his criticism of Starmer, labeling him “utterly despicable” and accusing him of ignoring the pleas of victims and their families “to secure political support.”
Musk also advocated for the release of far-right activist Tommy Robinson, currently serving an 18-month sentence for contempt of court related to comments about a Syrian boy attacked in an English school.
Starmer responded on Monday, emphasizing his government’s commitment to protecting victims of child sexual abuse. “What I won’t tolerate is this discussion and debate based on lies,” he stated.
Musk’s Comments on German Politics
Musk has also involved himself in German politics, calling for Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s resignation and expressing support for the far-right Alternative for Germany (AfD) party.
Germany’s domestic intelligence agency monitors AfD under post-World War II constitutional safeguards aimed at preventing the resurgence of extremist parties.
Musk described AfD as “the only hope for Germany” and criticized traditional political parties for failing the people.
In an interview with Stern magazine, Scholz dismissed Musk’s remarks, stating, “In Germany, the will of the citizens prevails, not the erratic statements of a billionaire from the USA.”
Scholz advised, “Don’t feed the troll,” while expressing deeper concern about Musk’s endorsement of AfD, which he characterized as a “right-wing extremist” organization.
Calls for EU Regulation
Musk’s interventions in European politics have prompted calls for regulation by the European Union. Critics, including some European leaders, argue that his activities could amount to election interference.
French President Emmanuel Macron remarked, “Ten years ago, who would have believed it if we had been told that the owner of one of the biggest social networks in the world… would intervene directly in elections, including in Germany?”
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez accused Musk of spearheading “the international far-right that we have been opposing in Spain for years,” adding that Musk “openly attacks our institutions, incites hatred, and supports the heirs of Nazism in Germany.”
Jean-Noel Barrot, France’s foreign minister, called for strict enforcement of the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates disinformation and illegal content.
Barrot urged that if the European Commission fails to act decisively, it should consider returning enforcement authority to individual EU member states.
X became the first platform charged under the DSA in July 2024, following an investigation launched in December 2023.
The EU’s regulatory approach to social media has historically been more assertive than that of the U.S., where the First Amendment provides broad protections for speech.
European leaders continue to monitor Musk’s influence and the broader implications of his actions on their political landscapes.