EU Remains Silent Amid 'Political Interference' Beyond Musk... Is It Watching Trump?

Despite Criticism from Various Countries, EU Says "Not Stirring Controversy"
Trump Supports Musk... "A Smart Person"

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, who has become a close aide to President-elect Donald Trump and is emerging as a key figure in the next U.S. administration, continues to excessively interfere in European politics, yet the European Union (EU) Commission remains silent.

Paula Finno, the EU Commission's chief spokesperson, responded on the 7th (local time) during a regular briefing to criticism that while European leaders are voicing their opinions, the EU's political voice is missing, saying, "Our political choice at this time is not to fuel the debate."

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla. Photo by AFP Yonhap News

Ahead of Germany's general election next month, Musk will hold a live broadcast discussion on the 9th with Alice Weidel, co-leader and chancellor candidate of Germany's far-right party Alternative for Germany (AfD). Recently, he has launched harsh criticisms against German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and President Frank-Walter Steinmeier, and through his social media platform X (formerly Twitter) and local media contributions, he has openly supported AfD.

The Commission stated that the live broadcast discussion with Weidel is not illegal. However, it said it would carefully evaluate whether to include this as a case in the ongoing investigation since December 2023 into violations of the Digital Services Act (DSA) against X. Finno explained, "The DSA does not contain provisions that prohibit live broadcasts or expressing personal opinions on platforms." The DSA, which came into effect in August 2023, is a law introduced to prevent the spread of false information on large online platforms.

During the previous day's regular briefing, questions were raised about the EU's response plan to Musk's behavior, but the answers remained general.

This contrasts with recent simultaneous criticisms of Musk by leaders from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, Norway, Spain, and other European countries. The EU's passive stance is considered unusual, given that until last year it publicly warned Musk not to spread fake news.

Analysts suggest that this is because Musk has become a key figure in the soon-to-be-formed second Trump administration. If the Commission were to impose EU regulations and fines on Musk and X, it could escalate into a conflict with the new U.S. administration. Last August, the EU Commission embarrassed itself by issuing a warning under the name of Commissioner Thierry Breton not to violate the DSA ahead of Musk's online live discussion with then-presidential candidate Trump.

There is also analysis that the absence of Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the Commission, is a factor in the EU's silence. Von der Leyen has canceled all external schedules until the 15th due to pneumonia. However, she is currently performing routine duties.

While the EU remains silent, President-elect Trump has instead defended Musk. At a press conference held at his Mar-a-Lago residence in Florida on the same day, when asked about Musk's actions, Trump replied, "Are you asking if Musk likes (European) conservative figures? I don't know them," adding, "What I can say is Elon is doing very well. He is a very smart person."