The Trump campaign on Monday accused the EU of attempting to “interfere in the US presidential election” after a senior EU official warned billionaire Elon Musk not to spread “potentially harmful content” ahead of his interview with Trump.
“The European Union should mind its own business instead of trying to interfere in a U.S. presidential election,” Trump campaign spokesman Steven Chang said in a statement.
“Let me be clear: the European Union is an enemy of free speech and has no power whatsoever to dictate how we run our election campaigns,” he added.
The statement was made by EU Commissioner Thierry Breton Open Letter Musk, 53, reminded X owners that his social media platform is subject to the EU’s Digital Services Act, a sweeping set of rules that came into force last August and requires big tech companies to moderate content, protect user privacy and address risks to the public.
Musk is scheduled to host a live “conversation” with Trump, 78, on Monday night at X Space.
“With large viewership comes large responsibility,” Breton wrote to X, arguing that there is a “risk of spreading potentially harmful content.” [the EU] in connection with major audience events around the world.”
Breton’s letter suggested that livestreaming Musk and President Trump “elevates X’s risk profile and may have a detrimental impact on civil discourse and public safety.”
“My department and I will be extremely vigilant to any evidence of violations of the DSA and will not hesitate to use the full range of our tools, including the adoption of provisional measures, if necessary to protect EU citizens from serious harm,” the EU official warned.
X CEO Linda Yaccarino slammed the letter, calling it “an unprecedented attempt to stretch European law to cover political activity in the United States.”
“It also shows contempt for European citizens and suggests they are incapable of listening to the conversation and drawing their own conclusions,” she added.
Meanwhile, Musk Reply to Breton’s post The meme is a reference to the 2008 film “Tropic Thunder,” and is accompanied by the text: “Take a big step back and literally go fuck yourself in the face!”
“I honestly wanted to respond with this Tropic Thunder meme but I would never be so rude and irresponsible!” he wrote next to the meme.
The Trump campaign also suggested that the EU would never have sent the letter if Trump were in the White House.
“Only in the America of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris can undemocratic foreign entities have the nerve to tell this country what to do,” Chang said. “They know that if President Trump wins, he will wisely use tariffs and America First to renegotiate trade deals so America won’t be fooled again.”
