Musk, Trump admin shred $140M fine lodged by EU against X social media platform

Elon Musk Trump administration officials have harshly criticized the European Union after its executive branch issued a $140 million fine against its social media platform, X.

“The European Union must be abolished and sovereignty returned to individual countries, so that governments can better represent their people.” Musk wrote on X on Saturday before adding “abolish the European Union.”

The European Commission said on Friday that it had fined The committee published the announcement of the $140 million fine on the X website.

Trump intensifies pressure against “Orwellian” European censorship amid US efforts to unleash artificial intelligence

Elon Musk, Vice President J.D. Vance (center), and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (right) criticized the $140 million fine imposed on Company X by the European Union. (Nathan Howard/Reuters; Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images; Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images/Getty Images)

On Friday in response to Post X from Senator Ted Cruz, The Texas Republican called the fine an “abomination” and said President Donald Trump must impose sanctions “until this travesty is reversed.” Musk replied “The EU imposed this crazy fine not only on X, but also on me personally, which is even crazier!”

“Therefore, it seems appropriate to apply our response not only to the EU, but also to the individuals who took this action against me,” Musk wrote. Call the fine in another post “Bulls—.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio He said on X The fine “is not just an attack on X, it is an attack on all American technology platforms and the American people by foreign governments.”

Before the fine was announced… Vice President J.D. Vance said, “The EU should support freedom of expression, not attack American companies over garbage.”

The European Union adopted the DSA in 2022 to regulate online platforms such as social networks and “prevent illegal and harmful online activities and the spread of misinformation,” but the law has since faced opposition from the EU. Trump administration Amidst promoting freedom of expression on the global stage.

Thomas René, spokesman for the Technical Sovereignty, Defense, Space and Research Committee, said in a press conference on Friday that the fine was not related to content moderation.

US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick was among the Trump administration officials who spoke out against the fine on X. (Dursun Aydemir/Anadolu via Getty Images/Getty Images)

“Today’s decision has nothing to do with content moderation,” Rene said. “It is about transparency provisions for citizens here in the European Union.”

Sam Altman eyes Rocket to take on Elon Musk in the space race

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick He said on X “The Digital Services Act is designed to stifle freedom of expression and American technology companies,” and “we have made our position clear to our counterparts in Europe.”

“Foreign bureaucrats have absolutely no right to tell Americans what they can and cannot say.” Senator Eric Schmidt added, R mo.

“Once again, Europe is fining a successful American tech company for being a successful American tech company.” said Brendan Carr, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). “Europe is taxing Americans to support a continent crippled by stifling European regulations.”

Elon Musk during a press conference with President Donald Trump, not pictured, in the Oval Office of the White House on Friday, May 30, 2025. (Francis Chung/Politico/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)

Senator Rick Scott, Republican from Florida “America has stopped looking the other way as foreign governments seek to censor our people and bully our companies,” he said.

The European Commission also explained its reasons in a press release.

‘Use X for ‘blue check mark’ for “Verified accounts” The commission said in a statement: “It deceives users. In

Click here to read more about Fox Business

It also said: “The

FOX Business’ Emma Colton contributed to this report.