"We need to wake up"

After Musk’s interference: France in favor of X ban

Elon Musk has recently spoken out publicly in favor of right-wing populists several times via his X platform.(Bild: AFP/AFP or licensors)

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has called on the EU to take a more decisive stance against the encroachments of influential US billionaire Elon Musk. "If the EU Commission cannot protect us from this interference or threats of interference, then it must give the member states back the ability to protect themselves," he told France Inter on Wednesday.

He had already called on the Commission on several occasions "to use the instruments it has democratically obtained more resolutely to prevent such behavior", he added.

When asked whether a ban on the Musk-owned online service X based on the Brazilian model would also be possible in Europe, Barrot said: "It is possible under our laws". He went on to emphasize: "We have to wake up."

Since US President-elect Donald Trump appointed the high-tech billionaire Musk as a special advisor, he has begun to comment aggressively on the policies of European governments and make election recommendations for right-wing populists.

On Thursday, Musk, who has over 200 million followers on X, wants to talk live on the online service with the German right-wing populist Alice Weidel.