EU Commissioner Thierry Breton warned that Musk’s interview with Donald Trump on X could result in the incitement of “violence, hate and racism.”
The European Commission is demanding that Elon Musk censor Donald Trump during their upcoming interview on X or else face legal consequences if he does not prevent the spread of so-called “disinformation.”
EU Commissioner for Internal Market Thierry Breton sent a letter to Elon Musk on Monday threatening legal action if he doesn’t censor his upcoming X interview with the former president scheduled at 8PM EST.
“I am writing to you in the context of recent events in the United Kingdom and in relation to the planned broadcast on your platform X of a live conversation between a US presidential candidate and yourself, which will also be accessible to users in the EU,” Breton wrote.
With great audience comes greater responsibility #DSA
As there is a risk of amplification of potentially harmful content in ?? in connection with events with major audience around the world, I sent this letter to @elonmusk
?⤵️ pic.twitter.com/P1IgxdPLzn
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) August 12, 2024
“In this context, I am compelled to remind you of the due diligence obligations set out in the Digital Services Act (DSA),” Breton noted, adding that Musk is compelled to prevent the “amplification of harmful content.”
“DSA obligations apply without exceptions or discrimination to the moderation of the whole user community and content of X (including yourself as a user with over 190 million followers) which is accessible to EU users and should be fulfilled in line with the risk-based approach of the DSA, which requires greater due diligence in case of a foreseeable increase of the risk profile,” Breton wrote.
Breton went on to suggest that Elon’s interview with Trump could result in the incitement of “violence, hate and racism” and “generate detrimental effects on civic discourse and public security.”
“As the relevant content is accessible to EU users and being amplified also in our jurisdiction, we cannot exclude potential spillovers in the EU,” Breton wrote. “Therefore, we are monitoring the potential risks in the EU associated with the dissemination of content that may incite violence, hate and racism in conjunction with major political — or societal — events around the world, including debates and interviews in the context of elections.”
Breton added that “any negative effect of illegal content” could lead the EU to take further action against X, using “our full toolbox, including by adopting interim measures, should it be warranted to protect EU citizens from harm.”
X CEO Linda Yaccarino shot back a scathing response to Breton in an X post, saying, “This is an unprecedented attempt to stretch a law intended to apply in Europe to political activities in the US. It also patronizes European citizens, suggesting they are incapable of listening to a conversation and drawing their own conclusions.”
This is an unprecedented attempt to stretch a law intended to apply in Europe to political activities in the US. It also patronizes European citizens, suggesting they are incapable of listening to a conversation and drawing their own conclusions. https://t.co/RmxL4VFuvV
— Linda Yaccarino (@lindayaX) August 12, 2024
Musk himself meanwhile replied directly to Breton’s post, simply saying, “Bonjour!” and mocking the EU bureaucrat by joking he shares the likeness of the “French taunter” from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Thierry always reminds me of the French taunter from Monty Python ??https://t.co/TtDsY6YMEq
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 12, 2024
Many other users on X accused Breton of engaging in election interference and fascism.
Our letter was better. pic.twitter.com/jeEZ8FYAZV
— The Redheaded libertarian (@TRHLofficial) August 12, 2024
Election interference from a foreign country.
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) August 12, 2024
Keep your fascism in your own countries.
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) August 12, 2024
Typical EU tyrant trying to stifle free speech under the guise of ‘responsibility.’ We won’t bow down to your censorship. Free speech is non-negotiable, Breton. Stay in your lane.
— Clown World ™ ? (@ClownWorld_) August 12, 2024
GFY Commie ?????????
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) August 12, 2024
We are America… 1776 Happened over 200 years ago
— Gunther Eagleman™ (@GuntherEagleman) August 12, 2024
It’s amazing how everything they say, it’s always the opposite: “ensuring freedom of expression and of information are protected” = “censor anything we, an unelected group of ultrawealthy technocrats, disagree with” pic.twitter.com/NlQrl1Axkf
— zerohedge (@zerohedge) August 12, 2024
This comes amid Musk’s critical commentary of the riots engulfing the UK over the government’s mass migration policies and two-tiered policing.
From Politico:
Musk has also drawn the ire of lawmakers in the United Kingdom in the past week for his platform’s role in the race riots that have rocked the country, his sharing of false information that the U.K. was going to open detainment camps for rioters, and his war of words with Muslim ex-First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf in which Musk said of Yousaf: ‘Scotland gave him everything and yet he loathes white people.’
Trump is scheduled to join Musk on X tonight at 8PM EST on his official account that he has not used since he was de-platformed in 2021.
ENJOY! pic.twitter.com/un0WwfJlpw
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2024
Ahead of the highly-anticipated interview, Trump has also begun publishing a flurry of posts again on his official X account.
https://t.co/MlIKklPSJT pic.twitter.com/sVyrCxHqdt
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2024
The tyrants are melting down now that Trump is set to freely speak before an audience of hundreds of millions about any subject he wants.
