Sat Jan 11 12:27:00 UTC 2025: ## Musk Slams EU Digital Chief as “Tyrant of Europe” Amidst Growing Tensions
**BRUSSELS, October 29** – Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), escalated his ongoing feud with European Union Digital Commissioner Thierry Breton, labeling him a “tyrant of Europe” in a series of online posts. The spat follows Musk’s repeated criticisms of EU digital regulations and his vocal support for Germany’s far-right AfD party.
The conflict ignited after a purported excerpt of an interview with Breton was shared online. The excerpt suggested the EU possesses mechanisms to overturn election results, prompting Musk’s harsh rebuke. Breton swiftly denied this claim on X, stating the EU has no such power and that the interpretation was a “lost in translation” or a case of “fake news.”
Breton’s comments, made during an interview with French broadcaster BFMTV/RMC, focused on the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA), which compels online platforms to remove illegal content. He emphasized the EU’s commitment to enforcing its laws, citing previous actions in Romania concerning alleged election interference by TikTok. The EU recently launched an investigation into TikTok under the DSA, following allegations of Russian interference in the Romanian presidential election.
Musk’s recent actions, including his support for the AfD and his repeated insults of European leaders, have fueled concerns about potential bias on X and the platform’s compliance with the DSA. The EU launched an investigation into X in December 2023, raising questions about how regulators will navigate Musk’s close ties to former US President Donald Trump while enforcing the DSA, which carries the potential for significant fines. The ongoing conflict highlights the increasing tension between the EU and powerful tech companies, particularly in the context of election integrity and online content moderation.
First Piper 