EU Threatens Musk Over Trump Interview

European Commissioner for Internal Market and Services Thierry Breton sent a letter to X owner Elon Musk on Thursday warning against an interview planned with Donald Trump.

Why it matters: This threat is an attack on free speech. The steps the European Union is taking to silence dissenters show an ominous trend in its politics.

‘Harmful content’: Breton raised concerns that the interview could violate the Digital Services Act (dsa), which imposes rules on online service providers to ensure “that all proportionate and effective mitigation measures are put in place regarding the amplification of harmful content … which … might … 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. 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 ….
—Thierry Breton

Warning: X already faces fines from a July clash with the EU. Breton warned that, should the interview be deemed harmful, he would not refrain from adding to the previous measures.

My services and I will be extremely vigilant to any evidence that points to breaches of the dsa and will not hesitate to make full use of our toolbox, including by adopting interim measures, should it be warranted to protect EU citizens from serious harm.
—Thierry Breton

‘War on free speech’: Bible prophecy says Europe will soon unite to form an international superpower that will label the truth as disinformation. The EU’s attacks on Musk’s defense of free speech show how this prophecy is coming to pass. To learn more, read “The EU’s War on Free Speech.”