{"id":2323901,"date":"2024-08-13T15:12:01","date_gmt":"2024-08-13T19:12:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/eu-commissioner-sent-letter-to-musk-about-trump-interview-without-permission-washington-examiner\/"},"modified":"2024-08-13T15:15:38","modified_gmt":"2024-08-13T19:15:38","slug":"eu-commissioner-sent-letter-to-musk-about-trump-interview-without-permission-washington-examiner","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/eu-commissioner-sent-letter-to-musk-about-trump-interview-without-permission-washington-examiner\/","title":{"rendered":"EU commissioner sent letter to Musk about Trump interview without permission &#8211; Washington Examiner"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"&quot;\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">28<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Feu-commissioner-sent-letter-to-musk-about-trump-interview-without-permission-washington-examiner%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2323901&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>The\u2062 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/new-york-times-issues-multiple-corrections-for-article-falsely-claiming-900000-u-s-children-have-been-hospitalized-for-covid-19-during-pandemic\/\" title=\"New York Times Issues Multiple Corrections For Article Falsely Claiming 900,000 U.S. Children Have Been Hospitalized For COVID-19 During Pandemic\">article discusses<\/a> a recent \u2063incident involving European Union Commissioner Thierry Breton and Elon Musk regarding Musk&#8217;s \u200dinterview with former President Donald Trump. Breton sent a letter to Musk warning about potential repercussions for X (formerly Twitter) if the interview contained hateful\u2062 or misleading content, citing the Digital Services Act&#8217;s regulations aimed at curbing disinformation. However, it was revealed that Breton did not have permission from EU President Ursula von der Leyen to send the letter, leading to the EU distancing\u200b itself from his\u2062 actions. Despite being responsible \u200cfor enforcing the Digital Services Act, Breton&#8217;s letter has been criticized by Trump campaign officials\u200d as <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/did-president-trump-spring-a-trap-on-treasonous-democrats-on-election-night\/\" title=\"Did President Trump Spring a Trap on Treasonous Democrats on Election Night?\">foreign interference<\/a> in U.S. elections. The EU&#8217;s\u2064 ongoing investigation\u200d into X&#8217;s compliance \u200dwith the DSA may be \u200cimpacted by how the platform addresses issues of disinformation and illegal content.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">EU commissioner sent letter to Musk about Trump interview without permission<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_1670335\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/european-union\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>European Union <\/a>official who confronted <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/elon-musk\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>Elon Musk<\/a> about his interview with former President <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title=\"Donald Trump\">Donald Trump<\/a> and drew accusations of election interference didn&rsquo;t have permission to send the letter.<\/p>\n<p>European Union Commissioner for the Internal Market Thierry Breton warned Musk that he and his platform could be punished if the X <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/dont-want-buyers-remorse-dont-get-an-electric-vehicle\/\" title=\"Avoid Buyer&#039;s Remorse: Think Twice Before Buying an Electric Vehicle\">owner&#038;rsquo<\/a>;s conversation with Trump ventured into territory the EU deemed hateful or misleading. The European Commission distanced itself from the letter on Tuesday, denying Breton received permission from its leader, President Ursula von der Leyen, to send the letter.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The timing and the wording of the letter were neither co-ordinated or agreed with the president nor with the [commissioners],&rdquo; the commission said in a statement, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ft.com\/content\/09cf4713-7199-4e47-a373-ed5de61c2afa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>according to<\/a> the <em>Financial Times<\/em>.<\/p>\n<p>Breton wrote the letter warning Musk and X that they could face repercussions if they did not fall in line with the legal obligations laid out in the Digital Services Act. The act was passed in 2022 and was created to curb the spread of disinformation and illegal content on social media platforms.<\/p>\n<p>Those close to Breton said he wrote the letter ahead of time, but he decided to release it ahead of Musk&rsquo;s interview with Trump.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In his <a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/policy\/technology\/3118872\/eu-accused-meddling-election\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>letter<\/a>, Breton outlined how crucial it is for X to regulate disinformation and illegal content because failure to do so could &ldquo;generate detrimental effects on civic discourse and public security.&rdquo;&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>While Breton is in charge of overseeing the enforcement of the Digital Services Act and can communicate independently with companies, the expectation is that Breton coordinates with the rest of the EU, especially when making a public statement.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Breton had threatened in his letter that how X approaches its handlings of disinformation and illegal content may be incorporated into proceedings against the social media company.&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>In July, the EU found X to be in violation of the DSA for a failure of transparency in advertising and also for allowing blue checkmarks, meant to indicate verified users, to be purchased because it can &ldquo;deceive users.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The [investigation] on dissemination of illegal content and information manipulation is ongoing, we are looking into it, and of course everything that happens on the platform feeds into this assessment,&rdquo; the EU said.<\/p>\n<p>Trump campaign officials blasted the letter when it was circulated on Monday, suggesting it amounted to foreign interference in U.S. elections. <\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;The European Union should mind their own business instead of trying to meddle in the U.S. Presidential election,&rdquo; Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TheStevenCheung\/status\/1823096129715892650\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">wrote on X<\/a>. &ldquo;Only in Joe Biden and Kamala Harris&rsquo; America can an un-Democratic foreign organization feel emboldened enough to tell this country what to do. They know that a President Trump victory means America will no longer be ripped off because he will smartly utilize tariffs and renegotiated trade deals that puts America First.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>In response to Breton&rsquo;s letter, Musk posted a meme from <em>Tropic Thunder<\/em> with a caption saying, &ldquo;Take a big step back and literally f*** your own face.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/washingtonexaminer.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title><strong><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;To be honest, I really wanted to respond with this Tropic Thunder meme, but I would NEVER do something so rude &amp; irresponsible!&rdquo; Musk <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/elonmusk\/status\/1823076043017630114\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\" title>tweeted.<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The spread of disinformation has been a rising concern in the EU as it has been linked to recent anti-immigrant riots that have plagued London following the stabbing deaths of three girls.<\/p>\n<p> <script data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/cdn-cgi\/scripts\/5c5dd728\/cloudflare-static\/email-decode.min.js\"><\/script><script>!function(){var g=window;g.googletag=g.googletag||{},g.googletag.cmd=g.googletag.cmd||[],g.googletag.cmd.push(function(){g.googletag.pubads().setTargeting(\"has-featured-video\",\"true\")})}();<\/script><script>var _bp=_bp||[];_bp.push({\"div\":\"Brid_1670335\",\"obj\":{\"id\":\"27789\",\"width\":\"1280\",\"height\":\"720\",\"stickyDirection\":\"below\",\"video\":\"1670335\"}});<\/script><script defer src=\"https:\/\/services.brid.tv\/player\/build\/brid.min.js\"><\/script><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The European Union official who addressed Elon Musk regarding his interview with former President Donald Trump, which led to claims of election interference, did not have authorization to send the letter. Thierry Breton, the EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, cautioned Musk that he and his platform could face penalties if their discussion with Trump included content deemed hateful or misleading by the EU. On Tuesday, the European Commission clarified that Breton had not received approval from its president, Ursula von der Leyen, to issue the letter. The commission stated that &#8220;the timing and wording of the letter were neither coordinated nor agreed upon with the president or other commissioners,&#8221; according to a report by the Financial Times.<\/p>\n<p>In his correspondence, Breton emphasized that it was essential for X (formerly Twitter) to manage disinformation and illegal content effectively since failing to do so could harm civic discourse and public safety. Although Breton is responsible for enforcing the Digital Services Act (DSA) and can communicate independently with companies, there is an expectation for him to coordinate with other EU officials when making public statements.<\/p>\n<p>Breton&#8217;s letter warned Musk about potential consequences related to how X handles disinformation and illegal content in light of ongoing investigations into these issues. In July, X was found in violation of DSA regulations due to a lack of transparency in advertising practices and allowing users to purchase blue checkmarks meant for verified accounts\u2014actions considered misleading.<\/p>\n<p>Trump campaign representatives criticized Breton&#8217;s letter as foreign interference in U.S. elections. Campaign spokesman Steven Cheung remarked on X that &#8220;the European Union should mind their own business instead of trying to meddle in U.S. Presidential elections.&#8221; He added that under Joe Biden&#8217;s administration, foreign entities feel empowered enough to dictate actions within America.<\/p>\n<p>In response to Breton\u2019s warning, Musk shared a meme from *Tropic Thunder* accompanied by a caption suggesting an inappropriate action towards oneself but later clarified he would never respond so rudely or irresponsibly on social media.<\/p>\n<p>The issue of disinformation has become increasingly pressing within the EU context due partly to its connection with recent anti-immigrant riots in London following tragic events involving three girls&#8217; deaths<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2542,"featured_media":2323902,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/MuskTrump.webp","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[538],"tags":[38042,4250,6167,37983,32076],"class_list":["post-2323901","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-washington-examiner","tag-eu-commissioner","tag-musk","tag-permission","tag-trump-interview","tag-washington-examiner"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/MuskTrump.webp","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2323901","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2542"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2323901"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2323901\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2323902"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2323901"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2323901"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2323901"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}