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Musk vs. Europe: How far will each go?

January 09, 2025
Stephen Maher
​The European Union flag is displayed on a laptop screen and Elon Musk's account on X is displayed on a phone screen.

The European Union flag is displayed on a laptop screen and Elon Musk's account on X is displayed on a phone screen.

Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Reuters
Donald Trump’s bestie, Elon Musk, looks to be headed for a showdown with the elected leaders of Europe, and it is not clear who will come out on top.

Musk, the richest man in the world and owner of the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, used his money and social media muscle to help Trump become president again. Now, he’s turning his mind to European politics.

Musk is reportedly “probing how he and his right-wing allies can destabilize the UK Labour government” of Keir Starmer. Musk has been repeatedly sharing attacks on Starmer, alleging that he and his government have been complicit in covering up a child sex abuse scandal, although the evidence for that is not strong.

Musk favors the traditionally marginal right-wing Reform Party, although even its leader, Nigel Farage, has distanced himself from Musk’s celebration of Tommy Robinson, a far-right rabble-rouser in prison for contempt of court.

Before he can take down Starmer, though, Musk will host a conversation with the leader of the far-right Alternative for Germany.

European leaders are speaking out against Musk, and they have the power to prosecute him for election interference if they choose. But he is powerful enough and close enough to Trump to make that a forbidding prospect. Trump could punish them if they go after his friend, but not doing so could look like acquiescence to the tech titan.

They face a conundrum, and at the moment they are focused on discouraging Trump from invading Greenland.
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