Politics · France · 4 hrs ago
France accuses Musk of online harassment ahead of 2027 election
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot accused Elon Musk of orchestrating online harassment campaigns against European leaders through X. Barrot said foreign interference could affect public debate as France prepares for its 2027 presidential election.
He said outside actors exploit divisions over immigration, secularism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to fuel tension.
Barrot also cited alleged fake French accounts and hostile online narratives linked to foreign actors, including during recent school protests.
Musk and US President Donald Trump commented on the protests last week, focusing on immigration rather than students’ demands for better school conditions.
France says it will act against foreign interference, which Barrot described as a threat to the country’s sovereignty.
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot accused Elon Musk of launching online harassment campaigns against European leaders.
Barrot said the campaigns used X’s reach to influence political debate.
He warned that foreign interference could destabilise France ahead of its 2027 presidential election.
He also cited hostile online narratives around recent protests and alleged efforts by foreign actors to inflame social divisions.
Barrot said France would not tolerate foreign interference in its domestic affairs.
- Who
- French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot accused Elon Musk and other foreign actors of seeking to influence debate.
- What
- Barrot alleged online harassment campaigns against European leaders and warned of foreign interference ahead of France’s presidential election.
- When
- Barrot made the remarks on Tuesday at an OECD conference.
- Where
- At an OECD conference in France; the sources do not specify the venue.
- Why
- Barrot said foreign actors were exploiting social divisions and online platforms to influence public debate and destabilise France.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
French schoolchildren, students and trade unionists held protests and blockaded schools.
Donald Trump and Elon Musk commented on the protests in France.
Barrot accused Musk of online harassment campaigns and warned of foreign interference at an OECD conference.
- Election year
- 2027
- Accused platform owner
- Elon Musk, owner of X
- French foreign minister
- Jean-Noël Barrot
- Issues cited
- Immigration, secularism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict
- Countries named in connection with hostile narratives
- Russia, China and Iran
2 sources
What people are saying
There are massive online harassment campaigns launched by Elon Musk against European leaders in order to influence debates by exploiting the virality of his social media platform.
We do not tolerate any foreign interference, from wherever it may come. It is a matter of sovereignty.
The enemies of democracy are doing everything they can to destabilise us.
They exploit our divisions and use immigration, secularism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to stoke hatred and tensions.