Tesla and SpaceX CEO Musk has emerged as a major voice in US politics but is accused of turning the platform formerly known as Twitter into a megaphone for right-wing conspiracy theories since acquiring it in 2022.
Elon Musk to interview Trump on X social media network
The interview can provide the former president an opportunity to seize the limelight at a time when his campaign is seen as sagging
EU warns Musk on hate speech ahead of Trump interview
Trump announced last week that he is sitting down with Musk for a “major interview,” which will be livestreamed on X.
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| August 13, 2024 |
by AFP Staff Writers
Brussels, Belgium (AFP) Aug 12, 2024
The EU's top digital official wrote to Elon Musk Monday to remind him of his legal duty to stop "harmful content" from spreading on X, hours before the tech billionaire interviews Donald Trump live on the platform.
The European Union has an ongoing probe into X, formerly Twitter, under its landmark Digital Services Act (DSA) which requires digital firms to effectively police online content to protect users from harm.
"The DSA obligations apply without exceptions or discrimination to the moderation of the whole user community and content of X (including yourself as a user with over 190 million followers)," Breton wrote to Musk.
Breton said the warning was motivated by the "risk of amplification of potentially harmful content in the EU," citing Musk's upcoming Trump interview, and also referencing his recent inflammatory comments about far-right riots in the United Kingdom.
"We are monitoring the potential risks in the EU associated with the dissemination of content that may incite violence, hate and racism in conjunction with major political -- or societal -- events around the world," he wrote.
"My services and I will be extremely vigilant to any evidence that points to breaches of the DSA and will not hesitate to make full use of our toolbox, including by adopting interim measures, should it be warranted to protect EU citizens from serious harm," Breton wrote.
New analysis from the Center for Countering Digital Hate shows Musk's false or misleading claims about the US elections have been viewed nearly 1.2 billion times on X -- which has around 300 million daily users, a third of them in the EU.
- Sweeping laws -
EU regulators' wide-ranging probe into X is looking into the effectiveness of the platform's efforts to combat disinformation -- following major cuts to content moderation resources under Musk's leadership.
Breton travelled to California in spring last year to meet tech leaders including Musk and stress their obligations under the sweeping new DSA and its sister law, the Digital Markets Act (DMA).
Back then, Musk pledged to work to comply with the new laws -- but the tone has since soured, with the billionaire accusing Brussels of regulatory overreach.
Breton rejected the notion of such a deal, telling Musk: "Up to you to decide whether to offer commitments or not... See you (in court or not)."
"As there is a risk of amplification of potentially harmful content in [the European Union] in connection with events with major audience around the world, I sent this letter to @elonmusk."
- Musk has also drawn the ire of lawmakers in the United Kingdom in the past week for his platform's role in the race riots that have rocked the country,
- his sharing of false information that the U.K. was going to open detainment camps for rioters, and
- his war of words with Muslim ex-First Minister of Scotland Humza Yousaf in which Musk said of Yousaf: “Scotland gave him everything and yet he loathes white people.”
Inside Elon Musk’s Hands-On Push to Win 800,000 Voters for Trump
Billionaire’s super PAC has had early stumbles as he tackles national politics in his trademark chaos-be-damned style
In weekly meetings, consultants and vendors for a super political-action committee updated him on their progress toward the discussed goal of turning out 800,000 people to vote for Donald Trump in battleground states. They proposed a budget of about $160 million they would need for the task, most of it to come from Musk himself, and talked about raising an army of more than 6,000 canvassers and other workers, according to people familiar with the matter.
America PAC, Musk’s first major foray into presidential politics, is less pioneering than, say, putting people on Mars or implanting microchips in their brains. But the billionaire’s full-throated support for Trump and the GOP has ignited other prominent donors. He has also received the gratitude of the Republican presidential nominee, who faces a newly energized opponent in Vice President Kamala Harris.
The recent overhaul means America PAC, formed in May, is resetting about a month before early voting starts and fewer than 90 days before the presidential election.
But the super PAC’s new leadership is confident it can execute the group’s mandate and the Trump camp has expressed support for the recent changes. “The New Program 100% better than the old gang. Solidly support this effort!” Chris LaCivita, a senior Trump adviser, posted on X last month.
Musk is scheduled to interview Trump on X on Monday night.
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