Musk Fires Back: "EU Should Be Dissolved" After 120 Million Euro Fine

The First Fine Against X Spurs U.S. Involvement
Diplomatic Tensions Escalate Between the U.S. and EU Over Big Tech Regulation

After the European Union (EU) imposed a hefty fine on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla, directly lashed out, stating, "The EU should be dismantled," and openly opposed the decision.

On December 6 (local time), Musk posted on X, "The EU should be dismantled, and sovereignty should return to individual countries," arguing, "Only then can governments better represent their people." In another post, he wrote, "The EU's woke Stasi politicians will soon learn the true meaning of the 'Streisand effect.'"

The term "woke" is used by American conservatives to criticize the imposition of progressive values and identities. Musk is accusing the EU of censoring social networking services (SNS) in an authoritarian manner, similar to the former East German intelligence agency, the Stasi, as it regulates American big tech. The "Streisand effect" refers to the phenomenon where attempts to hide information only make it spread more widely.

Previously, on December 5, the EU imposed a fine of 120 million euros (approximately 205.9 billion won) on X, citing major violations such as the platform's paid verification mark, "Blue Check," deceiving users, failing to ensure transparency in its ad repository, and not providing necessary public data to researchers.

The EU has imposed astronomical fines on American big tech companies based on regulations such as the Digital Markets Act (DMA), also known as the "Big Tech Abuse Prevention Act." To prevent the spread of false information and illegal or dangerous content, the EU introduced the Digital Services Act (DSA), which regulates online platforms, including social networks. The fine imposed on X is the first penalty under the newly introduced DSA in 2023.

The Donald Trump administration also demanded the abolition of the EU's big tech regulations, arguing that they function as non-tariff trade barriers and suppress freedom of expression. Vice President JD Vance criticized the EU ahead of the fine against X, stating, "Instead of attacking American companies with unnecessary issues, the EU should support freedom of expression."

Tensions between the two sides have escalated as, on the same day the fine was imposed on X, the United States mentioned a "civilizational extinction" crisis and offered unsolicited advice to Europe. Andrew Puzder, the U.S. Ambassador to the EU, pointed out that most of the fines have been imposed on American companies, saying, "If this is an attempt to favor European competitors, the United States will need to respond." In response, Jovita Neliup?ien?, the EU Ambassador to the United States, countered, "Regulation is our sovereign right."

Radoslaw Sikorski, Poland's Foreign Minister, took aim at Musk, sarcastically saying, "Go to Mars. There, there's no Nazi salute censorship." Musk sparked controversy earlier this year by making a hand gesture reminiscent of a Nazi salute at President Trump's inauguration event. Furthermore, Musk has faced criticism from European political circles for publicly supporting far-right parties in Europe.