Italian PM defends Elon Musk against Macron’s claims of election interference

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has defended Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter), in response to accusations from French President Emmanuel Macron that Musk is interfering in European elections.

Macron accused Musk’s platform of spreading disinformation, which he claims undermined democratic processes during recent elections in Europe, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Macron's criticism is based on X’s decision to allow unmoderated content, which he argues has amplified false narratives and swayed voter opinions. At a press briefing, Macron described Musk’s management of X as “dangerously irresponsible” and accused him of playing a destabilizing role in Europe's democratic structures. He called for stricter regulations on digital platforms to limit such alleged influence.

In response, Giorgia Meloni rejected Macron's accusations, labeling them as "exaggerated and politically motivated." She defended Musk, asserting that X represents freedom of speech, a fundamental principle she views as crucial to democracy. “Labeling someone a ‘monster’ for providing a space for open debate is unfair and counterproductive,” Meloni remarked in a public address. 

The debate highlights deeper divisions among European leaders over how to balance free speech and content regulation in the digital era. While Macron advocates for stricter laws against misinformation, Meloni’s support for Musk signals her alignment with a more libertarian stance on tech governance. 

This clash between Macron and Meloni reflects increasing tensions within the European Union over the influence of tech giants. Musk, responding to the accusations, tweeted, “Freedom of speech is the bedrock of democracy. Europe must decide whether it values open dialogue or censorship.” 

Moreover, Meloni endured a two-hour interrogation by the Italian press, addressing a wide array of topics, including her stance on Ukraine, a strong defence of US President-elect Donald Trump, and her support for tech billionaire Elon Musk. Meloni has frequently clashed with the media, criticising left-wing newspapers, suing journalists, and implementing a controversial "gagging law" that restricts the publication of information regarding arrests and investigations. 

Meloni, who is increasingly seen as Europe’s potential link to Donald Trump, defended the president-elect after he made remarks about his interests in Greenland, Canada, and the Panama Canal. Meloni downplayed the idea of a US invasion, stating that when Trump takes action, it is “for a reason.” Rather than viewing Trump’s comments as a threat, Meloni interpreted them as a “strong message to other major global powers, rather than a hostile move.” She further emphasised that during his presidency from 2017 to 2021, Trump was effective in using deterrence diplomacy.

By Naila Huseynova