In a fierce debate since December, Elon Musk has been sharing his opinions on European politics. He has backed the imprisoned anti-Islam activist Tommy Robinson in the UK and proclaimed the far-right party AFD as "the only ones who can save Germany".
Not least, he is targeting the British Labour government, which he accuses of not doing enough to investigate the long-standing abuse scandals that were exposed in cities like Rotherham, Rochdale, and Oldham about 15 years ago.
Now, he is also actively intervening in the German election campaign ahead of the federal election in February by broadcasting a live interview with AFD leader Alice Weidel on Thursday evening.
"Inciting hatred"
Many European politicians are worried about Musk's actions. Spain's socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accuses Musk of "inciting hatred". Both Germany's Chancellor Olaf Scholz and France's President Emmanuel Macron have expressed concerns over Musk's influence on politics.
Who could have believed ten years ago that the owner of one of the world's largest social networks would interfere in an election, in Germany of all places? said Macron earlier this week.
Demands are being made for the EU Commission to use "all tools" in its digital service law, DSA, to "protect democracy". But silencing Musk just because one doesn't like his opinions is not possible.
There is nothing in DSA that prohibits a platform owner or anyone else from holding a live broadcast, notes Commission spokesperson Thomas Régnier in Brussels, referring to Thursday's AFD interview.
Mr. Musk has the right to express his personal opinions and political views in the EU, he emphasizes.
Dare not?
However, if it turns out that Musk and X violate the rules of DSA, for example by not taking sufficient action against the spread of false or illegal content, the regulation can be used to stop such content.
At the same time, it is clear that there is a great reluctance to use legal measures against Musk, given his close ties to the incoming US President Donald Trump.
Despite a barrage of questions from journalists, the EU Commission has so far taken a very cautious line in its statements this week.
Wind in the back
Perhaps consumers can influence how well Musk fares in Europe. Decreased Tesla sales in Europe could lead investors to demand greater restraint from Musk, whose actions are risky and unusual in corporate circles, according to Felipe Muñoz of car analysis firm Jato Dynamics.
On the other hand, the political winds are increasingly blowing in Musk's favor, even in Europe.
See what happened in the US. His bet on Trump worked. Now he's playing the same game in Europe, says Muñoz to AP.
When Donald Trump takes office as President of the US, X-owner Elon Musk is promised a role as responsible for "streamlining the state apparatus".
In Europe, Musk has recently been noticed for sharp criticism of government leaders such as Olaf Scholz in Germany and Keir Starmer in the UK.
Ahead of the upcoming federal election in Germany, Musk has backed the far-right party AFD, whose leader Alice Weidel he interviews in a live broadcast on X on Thursday evening.
