Left-leaning and liberal Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) are sounding the alarm, demanding a debate over the alleged “threat to democracy” posed by Elon Musk’s social media platform, X, and its supposed “interference” in European politics.
At the heart of the controversy is Musk’s decision to host a live conversation with Alice Weidel, the anti-globalist co-leader of Germany’s Alternative für Deutschland (AfD), on X at 7 p.m. on January 9. Musk, a billionaire entrepreneur born in South Africa, acquired Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it as X, transforming the platform into a haven for free speech. His refusal to engage in politically motivated censorship has rattled the Brussels establishment, which prefers tight control over dissenting voices.
Weidel’s appearance on X marks a significant moment for her and the AfD, a party polling at approximately 20% ahead of Germany’s national elections on February 23. Despite facing relentless attacks from intelligence agencies, political rivals, and media outlets for its stances on issues like immigration, climate policies, and Ukraine, the AfD continues to resonate with a growing segment of the German electorate.
However, this growing popularity has drawn the ire of the EU’s liberal elites, who are pressuring X over alleged non-compliance with the bloc’s Digital Services Act (DSA)—a law often criticized as a tool for suppressing speech. The European Commission claims it will analyze whether the live discussion gives the AfD an “unfair campaign advantage” through algorithmic boosts on X.
Predictably, socialist and liberal factions in the European Parliament are leading the charge. Socialist group leader Iratxe García Pérez tweeted, “New dangers threaten our democracies. Dangers as powerful or more than weapons: fake news, hate speech, and the abuse of social networks.” Similarly, Valérie Hayer of the Renew Europe group accused Musk of meddling in EU democratic affairs.
Even members of the centrist European People’s Party (EPP) have expressed concerns, vowing to pressure the Commission to expedite its investigation into X. This probe, initiated in 2023, marks the first of its kind under the DSA and has become a flashpoint in the EU’s broader battle against platforms refusing to toe the line.
Musk’s vocal resistance to censorship has further fueled tensions. He claimed last year that the Commission secretly offered X a deal: agree to quietly censor certain content, and the platform would avoid hefty fines. While other tech giants allegedly accepted the deal, Musk rejected it outright, exposing what he called the EU’s underhanded tactics.
Tech Commissioner Henna Virkkunen recently reassured MEPs of her commitment to advancing the probe into X. But Musk’s critics seem more focused on silencing dissent than ensuring fair digital practices.
Given the growing hysteria, it wouldn’t be surprising if Brussels ultimately slapped X with a massive fine or sought to banish the platform from Europe entirely. The EU elites, seemingly desperate to stifle free expression, view Musk’s vision for open dialogue as a direct challenge to their tightly controlled narrative.
