---
title: "Europe put to the test of chainsaws"
subtitle: "Record fine against X: Elon Musk attacks the European Union and calls for its dissolution"
date: 2025-12-24
author: JAS
theme: "Consulting"
keywords: ["consulting", "Europe", "USA", "escalade", "x.com", "Elon Musk"]
image: https://ik.imagekit.io/l2lkwahet/199A/EU-CHAINSAW-MASSACRE.jpg
audio: 1
slug: europe-put-to-the-test-of-chainsaws
status: published
faq: [{"q":"What exactly did the European Commission fine X for, and under which regulation?","a":"The European Commission fined X 120 million euros under the Digital Services Act (DSA). The violations include the abusive monetization of the blue checkmark without reliable identity verification, the absence of a transparent public registry of advertisements, and blocking researchers' access to data essential for analyzing public-interest phenomena."},{"q":"How did Elon Musk react to the fine, and why is his response considered disproportionate?","a":"Musk escalated by attacking the European Union, explicitly calling for its dissolution and even relaying a message comparing the EU to an alleged 'Fourth Reich.' This reaction is disproportionate because the fine is a standard regulatory enforcement under the DSA, and his rhetoric moves beyond controversy into explicit political positioning that tests the limits of acceptable discourse."},{"q":"What are the main risks highlighted in the article regarding Musk's statements and the broader transatlantic context?","a":"The article highlights risks of geopolitical impact, as Polish Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski called Musk's statements 'irresponsible and dangerous.' It also notes the enthusiastic support from Dmitri Medvedev, close to the Kremlin, suggesting that such declarations can be strategically exploited by adversaries. Additionally, the U.S. reaction, with Secretary of State Marco Rubio denouncing European sanctions, fuels a transatlantic regulatory conflict."},{"q":"What key figures and dates are central to this story, and what does the EU's response underscore?","a":"The key figure is the 120 million euro fine imposed by the European Commission on platform X, with the article dated December 9, 2025. The EU's response, via spokesperson Paula Pinho, underscores that even outrageous statements fall under the freedom of expression the EU protects, but one must assume the political consequences. The article concludes that European law applies regardless of fortune or notoriety, and rhetorical chainsaws remain noisy tools, not weapons, against law."},{"q":"How can 199A Consulting help an organization frame or execute on issues like regulatory compliance and digital sovereignty in this context?","a":"199A Consulting, with over 20 years of experience in IT by design, can help organizations navigate regulatory pressures and digital sovereignty challenges highlighted by this case. We provide strategic framing through audits of governance, risk, and compliance, ensuring alignment with frameworks like the DSA. Our execution services cover architecture, build, integration, and training, enabling organizations to operate resiliently and sovereignly in a contested digital landscape. For a trusted partnership, contact us at business@199a.agency"}]
---

## Record fine against X: Elon Musk attacks the European Union and calls for its dissolution

*December 9, 2025*


*Elon Musk, iconoclastic entrepreneur or outright political demolisher?*

## A European sanction, a disproportionate reaction

The **120 million euro** fine imposed by the European Commission on platform **X** did not go unnoticed. Contrary to those who imagined Elon Musk would shrug his shoulders or pay the bill quietly, the billionaire chose escalation. During the weekend following the decision, he multiplied attacks against the European Union, going so far as to explicitly call for its **dissolution**, even relaying a message comparing the EU to an alleged "Fourth Reich".

Yet another outburst in a series that has long ceased to be marginal.

## Provocation as modus operandi

Elon Musk has never cultivated restraint. Public accusations of pedophilia resulting in a defamation lawsuit, open support for the AfD in Germany, ambiguous gestures during Donald Trump's inauguration: provocation has become his political as well as media signature.

The image of a whimsical but harmless entrepreneur — the one who made quirky appearances in *The Big Bang Theory* or portrayed himself as a benefactor — now belongs to the past. In its place: a brutal political actor, conscious of his audience, and apparently determined to test the limits of the acceptable.

## What the EU actually holds against X

The European sanction is based on the **Digital Services Act (DSA)**, not on bureaucratic whim. Brussels reproaches X with several serious failings:

* the **abusive monetization of the blue checkmark**, sold without reliable identity verification, facilitating impersonation and deception;
* the absence of a **transparent public registry of advertisements**;
* **blocking access to data** for researchers, which is essential for analyzing phenomena of public interest.

These obligations aim for a clear objective: **protecting democratic space**, fighting disinformation and maintaining minimum trust in digital platforms operating on European territory.

## Washington versus Brussels, next episode

The American reaction was swift. Secretary of State **Marco Rubio**, speaking — irony intact — on X, denounced an "attack by foreign governments against American technology platforms," asserting that "the era of censoring Americans online is over."

A classic discourse in Washington, where each European sanction against a tech giant revives the fantasy of a transatlantic regulatory war. For Musk, already prone to performative indignation, this sequence was a perfect opportunity to pile on.

## Freedom of expression or political irresponsibility?

Calling for the dissolution of the European Union in the name of allegedly confiscated sovereignty is no longer a simple controversial outburst: it's an **explicit political positioning**. The European Commission, through its spokesperson Paula Pinho, recalled an essential point — not without a hint of irony: this type of statement falls precisely under the **freedom of expression** that the EU protects, even when they are outrageous.

Still, one must assume the political consequences of this freedom.

## An icy reception in Europe… and enthusiastic elsewhere

In Europe, reactions were notably less indulgent. Polish Foreign Minister **Radosław Sikorski** called Musk's statements "irresponsible and dangerous," highlighting their potential geopolitical impact. A concern reinforced by the public support of **Dmitri Medvedev**, close to the Kremlin, whose enthusiasm leaves little doubt about the strategic use of such declarations.

When Moscow applauds, alarm is never far away.

## European law does not negotiate with egos

One thing remains unchanged: **European law applies**, regardless of the fortune, notoriety or volume of those it constrains. Tech giants can vociferate, threaten or provoke. The rules remain.

Elon Musk can wield the rhetorical chainsaw with virtuosity. Faced with law, it remains a noisy tool, not a weapon.