Europe confronts Musk, Zuckerberg, and Trump's provocations: Le Monde
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European leaders, caught off guard by these developments, have struggled to present a unified response.
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In this Friday, May 18, 2012, file photo, the US and European Union flags wave as members of the EU Delegation arrive to attend the G8 Summit, Friday, May 18, 2012, at Dulles International Airport in Chantilly, Va (AP)
In an editorial published on Friday, Le Monde detailed the mounting political and ideological pressures Europe is facing from the United States, driven by President-elect Donald Trump and influential tech figures such as Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg. These developments have unsettled European leaders, traditionally focused on eastern threats, and now confronting unprecedented interference from the west.
The editorial outlines a series of disruptive actions. Elon Musk, owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), has launched politically charged campaigns targeting European governments. In the UK, Musk accused Prime Minister Keir Starmer of protecting immigrant pedophile gangs, calling for his resignation. In Germany, Musk openly endorsed the right-wing Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, offering its leader, Alice Weidel, a promotional platform on X during the election campaign.
Read more: Elon Musk's influence stirs up European politics: WSJ
Meanwhile, Donald Trump reiterated his controversial ambition to acquire Greenland, a Danish territory, signaling a territorial provocation. At the same time, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg criticized European laws regulating freedom of expression, describing them as "institutionalized censorship."
Western Provocations
European leaders, caught off guard by these developments, have struggled to present a unified response. Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and Antonio Costa, President of the European Council, issued a joint statement stressing the importance of transatlantic ties while reaffirming European "democratic" values. French President Emmanuel Macron also condemned Musk's actions, describing them as political interference in European electoral processes.
The editorial calls on Europe to assert its sovereignty and use its regulatory tools to counter these external pressures. It argues that European leaders must firmly defend the region's so-called democratic principles and territorial integrity, particularly in light of Trump's renewed provocations and the ideological agendas of US tech leaders.
The US is one of our closest partners and we are committed to strengthening the Transatlantic bond.
— Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) January 9, 2025
For the EU it is essential to protect and strengthen our fundamental democratic values, make our economy more competitive and sustainable, expand our global network of…
Le Monde concludes that Europe must demonstrate resolve, reminding its western allies that interference in its internal affairs will not be tolerated. As Le Monde aptly states, "sending Elon Musk and Mark Zuckerberg back to their nets is a way to signal to Donald Trump that the hunt is not open in Europe."
Read more: Spain: Musk's X must remain neutral
