Elon Musk has recently sparked a political storm across Europe, accusing France of launching a 'political attack' on his social media platform X just as he reached an unprecedented financial milestone.
The billionaire framed the closure of X's French offices as a warning shot not just at his company, but at free expression itself.
Just within days, Musk widened his criticism to anther European nation -- Spain. He publicly condemned Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez over plans to restrict social media access for under-16s. His language was unusually sharp, describing Sánchez as both a tyrant and a traitor to Spanish citizens, escalating a debate already sensitive across the European Union countries.
The clash comes at a striking moment for Musk. According to Forbes, he has become the first individual in history to amass a personal fortune of $800 billion, following SpaceX's acquisition of artificial intelligence firm xAI, intensifying scrutiny of his political influence.
France Row Fuels Musk's Free Speech Warning
Musk's dispute with France erupted after French authorities carried out police actions connected to X's operations, leading the company to shut its local offices. The 54-year-old tech billionaire said the move amounted to political intimidation rather than routine regulatory monitoring, accusing the French state of targeting his platform for ideological reasons, Deadline noted.
French officials have pushed back against that description. Authorities said the action related to legal compliance and cooperation with investigations, rejecting claims of censorship or political motivation, BBC News reported. Still, the appearance of police involvement rattled X employees and raised concerns among users about state pressure on digital platforms.
For Elon Musk, the closure marked a symbolic retreat from one of Europe's largest markets. He warned that such actions risk driving technology firms out of the region, with ripple effects for jobs, innovation and online debate.
Spain's Social Media Plan Sparks Personal Attack
The European confrontation deepened when Elon Musk turned his attention to Spain. The Guardian underscored Sánchez proposed banning under-16s from social media, arguing that children need protection from what he described as a 'digital wild west' of misinformation and harmful content.
Musk furiously responded on his social media platform, X. He viewed the proposal as an authoritarian overreach. His comments resonated with supporters who see social media restrictions as a gradual shift towards broader speech controls, while critics accused him of trivialising child safety concerns.
'Dirty Sánchez is a tyrant and a traitor to the people of Spain', Musk wrote on X. 'Sánchez is the true fascist totalitarian.'
The Spanish government has not responded directly to Musk's insults, but officials have stressed that the proposal aims to protect minors, not suppress criticisms and opposing views.
Meanwhile, Spain and Greece are weighing stricter social media regulations, joining Britain and France, after Australia banned children under 16 from these platforms last December.
$800 Billion Fortune Reshapes the Power Dynamic
As political tensions escalated, Musk's financial growth added a new dimension to the row. SpaceX's acquisition of xAI pushed Musk's net worth to $800 billion, surpassing previous records and reinforcing his status as the most powerful figure in global tech industry.
The scale of his wealth complicates Europe's standoff. Regulators face a figure whose companies span space, artificial intelligence and global communications, while critics argue that no individual should exercise such unrestrained influence.
Supporters counter that Elon Musk's outspokenness reflects genuine concern about creeping state control. With X retreating from France and Spain weighing new restrictions, the battle lines between governments and tech titans are intensifying and becoming clearer, while its impact on humanity, from users to workers, is already being felt.
Originally published on IBTimes UK
© Copyright IBTimes 2025. All rights reserved.
