Elon Musk unleashed a torrent of fury on Saturday after the European Union slapped his social media platform X with a staggering €120 million ($140 million)
fine – the first under the bloc's groundbreaking Digital Services Act (DSA). Calling it "crazy," "insane," and straight-up "bullshit," the billionaire accused regulators of targeting him personally, vowing a response that could extend to the individuals behind the decision, said a TOI report. The penalty, stemming from a two-year probe into X's transparency lapses, has ignited a transatlantic firestorm, with US heavyweights like Marco Rubio and JD Vance decrying it as an assault on American tech and free speech. Musk's Fiery Backlash: From 'Bullshit' to Personal Vendetta Musk wasted no time firing back on X, the very platform at the center of the storm. In a blunt reply to the European Commission's announcement, he dismissed the ruling as "Bullshit." Hours later, responding to US Senator Ted Cruz's call for sanctions against the EU, Musk escalated the rhetoric: "The 'EU' imposed this crazy fine not just on @X, but also on me personally, which is even more insane! Therefore, it would seem appropriate to apply our response not just to the EU, but also to the individuals who took this action against me." The DSA, which took full effect in 2024, empowers the EU to fine "very large online platforms" up to 6% of global annual revenue for failing to protect users from illegal content, scams, and misinformation. X, with over 500 million users, qualifies as a gatekeeper. While the $140 million hit is a drop in the bucket for Musk's empire – X is now under his xAI umbrella, which doesn't disclose revenues – it signals the start of potentially harsher scrutiny. Regulators have given X 60 days to fix the blue checkmark issues and 90 days for ad and data access fixes. The Three Strikes: Why X Got Penalized The European Commission's investigation, launched in late 2023, zeroed in on three core DSA violations, all tied to transparency and user protection:
- Deceptive Blue Checkmarks: Pre-Musk Twitter reserved the coveted blue tick for verified public figures, journalists, and institutions after a rigorous review. Post-2022 acquisition, X turned it into a pay-to-play perk via X Premium ($8/month). The EU slammed this as "deceptive design," arguing it blurs the line between authentic voices and scammers, exposing users to fraud. "It does not meaningfully verify who's behind the account," the Commission stated, making authenticity harder to gauge. Fine component: €45 million.
- Flawed Ad Repository: Under DSA rules, platforms must maintain a searchable database revealing ad buyers, targeting criteria, and spend details to combat hidden influence ops and scams. X's system, regulators found, is riddled with "built-in limitations, delays, and access obstacles," hobbling researchers and watchdogs. Fine component: €35 million.
- Researcher Data Barriers: X allegedly erected "unnecessary barriers" blocking academics and experts from public data needed to study systemic risks like hate speech and election meddling. This opacity, the EU said, undermines efforts to safeguard democracy. Fine component: €40 million.
US Fury: An 'Attack on America'?
The fine has supercharged long-simmering US -EU tensions over Big Tech regulation. Secretary of State Marco Rubio blasted it on X as "an attack on all American tech platforms and the American people by foreign governments. The days of censoring Americans online are over." Vice President JD Vance piled on preemptively Thursday: "Rumors swirling that the E.U. commission will fine X hundreds of millions of dollars for not engaging in censorship. The EU should be supporting free speech not attacking American companies over garbage."
Musk, a key Trump ally who advised on the Department of Government Efficiency, amplified the outrage. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr echoed: "Once again, Europe is fining a successful US tech company for being a successful US tech company." Senator Cruz demanded Trump-era sanctions, framing it as a threat to jobs and speech.
Brussels pushed back hard. Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier insisted: "The Commission is not targeting anyone... This is based on a process, democratic process." It's the DSA's first enforcement action; in a twist, TikTok dodged a similar probe by pledging ad transparency fixes.
Broader Implications: Free Speech vs. User Safety?
For Musk, who champions X as a "digital town square," the fine strikes at his core ethos. He's long railed against DSA as censorship-by-proxy, especially amid probes into X's handling of hate speech and misinformation post-2022. Yet supporters argue the rules stifle innovation, while critics say they're essential guardrails in an era of deepfakes and foreign meddling.
As X scrambles to comply – or appeal – this could be round one in a bruising battle. With Musk's Starlink aiding Ukraine and his Trump ties deepening, expect tariffs, lawsuits, and more X rants. One thing's clear: the EU's not backing down, and neither is Elon.
