Ahead of Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump’s Monday talk on X, it wasn’t just mainstream media in the U.S. that objected, the European Union's top digital enforcer sent Musk a warning about how the conversation may spread “harmful content” and reminded that he must “ensure X’s compliance” with EU law, including the Digital Services Act, which addresses disinformation.
"With great audience comes greater responsibility," Breton wrote on X, sharing the letter: "As there is a risk of amplification of potentially harmful content in [the EU] in connection with the events with major audiences around the world, I sent this letter to @elonmusk."
With great audience comes greater responsibility #DSA
— Thierry Breton (@ThierryBreton) August 12, 2024
As there is a risk of amplification of potentially harmful content in 🇪🇺 in connection with events with major audience around the world, I sent this letter to @elonmusk
📧⤵️ pic.twitter.com/P1IgxdPLzn
Musk was quick to respond in typical fashion, and X CEO Linda Yaccarino also hit back.
"To be honest, I really wanted to respond with this Tropic Thunder meme, but I would NEVER do something so rude & irresponsible!" Musk replied, sharing the colorful meme.
"This is an unprecedented attempt to stretch a law intended to apply in Europe to political activities in the US," Yaccarino said. "It also patronizes European citizens, suggesting they are incapable of listening to a conversation and drawing their own conclusions."
But according to reports, Breton wasn’t given the green light to send the letter in the first place.
On Tuesday the European Commission said Breton did not receive approval from its president, Ursula von der Leyen, per reporting from the Financial Times.
"The timing and the wording of the letter were neither co-ordinated or agreed with the president nor with the [commissioners]," the Commission said.
"Thierry has his own mind and way of working and thinking," an EU official was quoted as saying. (Fox Business)
You're not only a tyrant, you're an embarrassment to the European Commission. Its President, @vonderleyen, has rebuked you publicly. She should fire you. If you have any self-respect @ThierryBreton, you should resign your post immediately. https://t.co/7R5QM1lVYz pic.twitter.com/KyotzKZZZI
— Michael Shellenberger (@shellenberger) August 13, 2024
It turns out Thierry Breton did NOT have permission from the @EU_Commission to post this tweet
— @levelsio (@levelsio) August 14, 2024
And now we know why he tweeted it too:
He has a not so secret plan to become the President of the European Commission (the executive branch that essentially runs the EU) https://t.co/8dp8q0sKw5 pic.twitter.com/R9LTZ82H87