US backs Elon Musk's bid to overturn €120m EU fine against X

The United States government, through the Department of Justice, has moved to support Elon Musk's platform X in its legal battle to overturn a €120 million fine imposed by the European Union. Washington argues that European regulators have inappropriately attempted to extend their enforcement reach over American technology companies operating outside their control.

US Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate stated on Thursday that the European Commission's actions constituted an unwarranted expansion of jurisdiction. Musk, who invested millions to assist Donald Trump and other Republicans in winning elections, has previously argued that EU technology regulations severely inhibit corporate progress.

Under a specific provision within the Statute of the Court of Justice of the European Union, a sovereign state is permitted to intervene in legal disputes before the court if it can suitably establish a direct interest in the outcome of the case, opening the legal pathway for US involvement.

Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event

The enforcement action represents the Commission's inaugural official non-compliance decision under the Digital Services Act (DSA), which serves as one of the primary regulatory frameworks governing online platforms across the EU. Regulators previously accused X of utilizing deceptive blue checkmark practices, concealing critical advertising data, and barring researchers from accessing public platform information.

"Deceiving users with blue checkmarks, obscuring information on ads and shutting out researchers have no place online in the EU."

European Commission Representative

In addition to the legal friction, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) openly criticized the EU regulatory body, accusing officials of actively attacking and censoring American corporate entities. Musk subsequently amplified these remarks by reposting them with the word "absolutely."