**Trump Officials Criticize EU’s $140 Million Fine Against Elon Musk’s X**
Officials from former President Donald Trump’s political circle have sharply criticized the European Union’s decision to fine Elon Musk’s company, X, $140 million. The fine was issued this week in response to alleged failures by X to follow the EU’s Digital Services Act. The law demands that large digital platforms control misinformation, hate speech, and harmful content.
The fine, announced Thursday, has sparked arguments on both sides of the Atlantic. Elon Musk and his supporters argue the fine goes against free speech. U.S. Senator JD Vance, a longtime Trump ally and now Vice President, called the action “political censorship by foreign governments.” He said the decision showed Europe’s bias against American tech leaders.
A spokesperson for the European Commission said the fine followed repeated warnings. X was reportedly too slow to remove dangerous posts and had weak systems to check false information. This fine is the first major penalty under the new law, which came into effect in 2024.
Musk, who took over Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it as X, has promised looser content rules compared with older social media policies. He responded to the fine on Friday by posting that “truth will win,” and signaled he may fight the fine in court.
The issue has now become a flashpoint for wider global tensions over tech regulation. Supporters of Musk believe global governments are punishing him for promoting free speech. Critics say platforms that refuse to act on unsafe content are dangerous to democracy.
Many experts say this case could set international standards for how big internet firms are treated, especially those owned by outspoken tech billionaires. It may also affect how U.S. tech companies operate in foreign markets. With elections coming up in both the U.S. and Europe, the debate over content rules is expected to grow louder.
As of now, X has not said whether it will pay the fine or appeal. Legal experts say the case could take months, or even years, to fully resolve.
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