Musk’s criticism went further than just one statement. He called the EU a “bureaucratic monster” on his X platform. He argued that dissolving the EU would let governments better represent their people. Despite this harsh stance, Musk claimed he still has “love for Europe.” His issue, he said, was with the EU’s institutional structure, not Europe itself.
The EU fined X for problems with its Blue Check verification system. The commission said X didn’t provide enough transparency about how the system worked. X also restricted access to data that independent researchers needed. These violations broke the EU’s Digital Services Act, which sets rules for tech companies. The €120 million penalty represented significant financial consequences for the platform’s deceptive practices. The Digital Services Act aims to enhance accountability and transparency of tech companies operating within the EU.
Musk’s position found support in the US government. Vice President JD Vance criticized the penalty as “attacking American companies over trivial matters.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio called it a “foreign government’s assault on American tech platforms.” The Trump administration sided with Musk, even though he and Trump’d had conflicts before.
Musk’s criticism grew even sharper over time. He compared EU officials to the Stasi, the secret police of East Germany. He also compared them to Soviet political commissars. He accused the EU of censorship and suppressing free speech. He called the EU “woke” and said it used regulations to control companies unfairly.
The conflict between Musk and the EU reflects bigger tensions between the US and Europe. A recent US National Security Strategy document called the EU a “non-elected power” with “suffocating regulations.” It warned that European decline was happening because of too much corporate regulation. The document also referenced mass immigration, low birth rates, and supranational institutions as problems.
These tensions show a growing rift in the historic alliance between America and Europe.