-Analysis-
PARIS – Within days, leaders of three major European countries responded to provocative statements coming from Elon Musk: French President Emmanuel Macron in a speech Monday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a press briefing around the same time, and Chancellor Olaf Scholz has pushed back twice amid Germany’s heated election campaign.
What other private citizen in the world has the power to provoke such high-level reactions?
Musk clearly is no ordinary citizen. He is the world’s richest man, leading iconic companies like Tesla and SpaceX; a close ally of incoming U.S. President Donald Trump, who entrusted him with slashing federal spending; and, above all, the owner of the social network X, formerly Twitter, which he has turned into a personal megaphone for himself and the causes he champions.
For the latest news & views from every corner of the world, Worldcrunch Today is the only truly international newsletter. Sign up here.
Macron criticized the billionaire without naming him, accusing him of supporting a “nouvelle internationale réactionnaire” (a new international reactionary movement). The phrase resonated widely, originating from an analysis published by the online journal Le Grand Continent. It describes a movement that blends “Trumpism” with the power of Musk’s techno-nationalism.
Musk’s influence on Europe
Why is Elon Musk targeting Europe? Let’s first review the facts: Musk has publicly expressed support for the AfD, Germany’s far-right radical party, just weeks before the German elections. He did so through his social media platform, in an OpEd in the German daily Die Welt, and by organizing a dialogue with the AfD leader on X (formerly Twitter) this Thursday, granting her extraordinary visibility.
Then, Musk turned his attention to the United Kingdom, reigniting an old case of serial rapes from ten years ago as a way to attack Starmer, who was the prosecutor at the time, while defending extremist figure Tommy Robinson, who is currently in detention. When Nigel Farage, leader of the far-right Reform party, distanced himself from Robinson, Musk called for Farage’s replacement at the head of the party… Just like that!
The only leader Musk seems to support is Giorgia Meloni, the Italian far-right leader, which is also likely due to an upcoming significant contract Italy appears ready to sign with SpaceX.
Those who apply the rules of the old world will be devoured.
Why these unprecedented interventions by a major American business leader in European domestic politics? For Elon Musk, Europe represents the old world, too “socialist,” and, above all, too regulated for tech companies like his own. It is a system that must be brought down.
Musk and Trump’s alliance
Musk may not speak on behalf of Donald Trump, but for now, he is aligned with him. He has adopted Trump’s communication style and makes full use of the power of his X platform. This alignment of the incoming U.S. president with Musk and other tech giants signals the marriage between the new masters of American capitalism and the man behind Make America Great Again.
This techno-nationalist alliance is actually causing discomfort among hardcore American ultra-nationalists, like Steve Bannon. Yet it’s a powerful partnership that will be felt by America’s allies, starting with the Europeans.
Emmanuel Macron, speaking to French ambassadors gathered Monday at the Élysée presidential palace, described the “disorder of the world,” no matter where it originates.
“Those who apply the rules of the old world will be devoured,” he declared.
But does Europe have what it takes to resist these new predators? Judging by the panic triggered by Elon Musk’s tweets, it may not be a fair fight.
