Breton vs. Musk – The Showdown

Please read Part 1 here:
The Machinery – How the System Works

Please read Part 2 here:
The Crimes – What Was Concretely Done

Please read Part 3 here:
Democracy Shield in Detail

Please read Part 4 here:
TikTok & Meta Policy Changes

by Michael Hollister
Exclusive published at Michael Hollister on February 12, 2026

2.694 words * 14 minutes readingtime

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The Failed Intimidation

How an EU Commissioner Tried to Silence Elon Musk – and Ended His Career in the Process

The Letter That Went Too Far

August 12, 2024, 4:37 PM.

Thierry Breton, EU Commissioner for Internal Market, sits in his office in Brussels and composes a letter.

The recipient: Elon Musk, CEO of X (formerly Twitter).

The occasion: The next day, August 13, 2024, Musk will conduct a live interview with Donald Trump on X. Trump is at this time the Republican presidential candidate, a few months before the US election in November 2024.

Breton doesn’t write the letter privately. He publishes it publicly on X—the platform he regulates. A power demonstration. A threat on camera.

The letter is short. Precise. And packed with barely veiled threats.

The complete text:

“Dear Mr. Musk,

I am writing to you in the context of the recent exchanges we have had in the framework of the Digital Services Act (DSA).

As you know, following the opening of a formal infringement procedure against X in December 2023, and in view of the major role that your platform plays in the distribution of content, we are monitoring its compliance with EU law very closely.

This is particularly relevant in the context of events with a major audience around the world, such as the interview with a candidate for the US Presidency scheduled for tomorrow on your platform.

I understand that you are currently preparing for an audience of several hundred million users in the EU and beyond to broadcast live this interview.

As you and I have discussed, as a platform operating in the EU, you have legal obligations under the DSA to ensure that these broadcast do not amplify harmful content.

This notably means having sufficient content moderation abilities in place, as well as features that allow users to report harmful content.

In the past, you have been presented with such emergency situations. Let me therefore remind you of your obligations under Articles 6 and 16 of the DSA.

We will not hesitate to make full use of our toolbox, including adopting interim measures, should it be warranted to protect EU citizens from serious harm.

I trust you will ensure compliance with EU law in view of the global reach and the importance of the audience to this interview.

I look forward to your reply.

Yours sincerely,

Thierry Breton European Commissioner for Internal Market”

Read that again. Slowly.

An EU official writes to the CEO of an American company, operating in America, about an interview between two Americans, intended for an American audience:

“We will not hesitate to make full use of our toolbox.”

This is not regulation. This is extortion.

And it happened publicly. One day before the interview. Maximum pressure. Maximum intimidation.

Musk’s response (August 13, 2024, 2:14 AM):

A meme. No text. Just an image.

The meme showed a scene from the movie “Tropic Thunder” with the text:

“Take a big step back and literally FUCK YOUR OWN FACE.”

Below it, Musk only wrote:

“@ThierryBreton”

The interview took place. August 13, 2024, 8:00 PM EST. Live on X.

1 billion views in the first 48 hours.

Breton had lost.

Who is Thierry Breton?

To understand why this conflict escalated so much, one must understand who Thierry Breton is.

The Career

Thierry Breton, born 1955, is a French businessman and politician.

Early career:

• CEO of France Télécom (2002-2005) – saved the company from bankruptcy
• CEO of Atos (2008-2019) – built it into one of Europe’s largest IT service providers
• French Minister of Economy (2005-2007) under President Jacques Chirac

2019: Ursula von der Leyen appoints him EU Commissioner for Internal Market.

His responsibilities:

• Digital Single Market
• Industrial policy
• Defense and aerospace
• Digital Services Act – enforcement

The Character

Breton is known for:

1. Massive Ego

In Brussels, he’s called “The Sun King”—after Louis XIV, the French Sun King. He sees himself as the center of European power.

At public appearances, he often speaks in first person: “I reformed the semiconductor industry,” “I enforced the DSA,” “I control the tech giants.”

2. Authoritarian Style

Breton tolerates no contradiction. In internal meetings (according to leaked reports), he interrupts employees who disagree with: “You don’t understand how this works.”

3. Anti-Americanism

Breton sees the USA as a geopolitical rival, not a partner. He believes Europe must “liberate” itself from American tech dominance.

In an interview (2023), he said:

“The time of European naivety is over. We will not let American companies dictate terms in our market.”

Why He Hated Musk

Musk represents everything Breton despises:

• American – not European
• Libertarian – believes in free speech, not regulation
• Unpredictable – doesn’t follow diplomatic rules
• Popular – 200+ million followers on X, more influence than Breton will ever have
• Rich – richest person in the world, can’t be extorted with money

And the worst: Musk doesn’t obey.

When Breton offered a meeting with Musk in June 2024, Musk declined. Not for scheduling reasons. But because he simply ignored Breton.

For a man with Breton’s ego: Unbearable.

The Chronology of the Conflict

February 2024: The DSA Investigation Begins

On February 19, 2024, the EU Commission officially opened a DSA investigation against X.

Accusations:

• “Insufficient content moderation”
• “Lack of transparency in algorithms”
• “Insufficient measures against disinformation”

This was no surprise. X was the only major social media company that had withdrawn from the Code of Practice on Disinformation in 2023.

Musk’s justification (May 2023):

“The ‘Code of Practice’ is a euphemism for censorship. We will not participate in a system designed to suppress free speech.”

Breton was furious. X was to be made an example. Other platforms should see: Those who don’t obey get punished.

June 2024: The Rejected Meeting

In June 2024, Breton offered Musk a personal meeting in Brussels.

Breton’s goal: “Convince” Musk to rejoin the Code of Practice.

Musk’s answer (via email, later leaked):

“I see no productive purpose in such a meeting. X will comply with laws, not with voluntary codes designed to circumvent laws.”

Breton interpreted this as a personal insult.

In an internal meeting (according to reports from EU insiders), Breton said:

“Musk thinks he is above the law. We will show him he is not.”

August 12, 2024: The Threat Letter

Then came the Trump interview announcement.

On August 11, 2024, Musk announced on X:

“Live conversation with @realDonaldTrump tomorrow at 8pm ET. This will be unscripted with no limits on subject matter, so should be highly entertaining!”

Breton saw his chance.

His calculation:

• The interview will reach millions of EU citizens
• Trump will say controversial things (about immigration, election fraud, etc.)
• This is “disinformation”
• So I can threaten Musk BEFOREHAND: “Moderate the interview, or we punish you”

On August 12, 2024, 4:37 PM, Breton published the letter.

August 13-15, 2024: The US Response

The response from the United States was immediate and furious.

August 13, 2024:

The US State Department sent an official protest note to the EU Commission (not publicly released, but cited in the US House Report).

Content: Breton’s letter constitutes “unacceptable interference in US democratic processes.”

August 15, 2024:

Chairman Jim Jordan of the House Judiciary Committee sent a letter to Breton:

“Your attempt to intimidate an American company and interfere in American political discourse is deeply concerning. We demand a full accounting of all communications between the EU Commission and social media platforms regarding content moderation of American political speech.”

September 10, 2024:

Jordan sent a second letter because Breton hadn’t responded.

This time, tougher:

“Your silence is noted. We will continue our investigation with or without your cooperation.”

September 16, 2024: Breton Resigns

Less than five weeks after his letter to Musk, Thierry Breton resigned as EU Commissioner.

Official reason:

“Personal differences with Commission President von der Leyen.”

The truth:

Von der Leyen forced him out. The Musk letter had become an international scandal. The US was threatening diplomatic consequences. Breton had become a liability.

In his resignation letter (publicly released), Breton wrote:

“A few days ago, you asked me to resign from my role as Commissioner… in the final stretch of the negotiations on the new College… I therefore have to conclude that you consider that I should not be further involved in the next College.”

Translation: Von der Leyen dumped him.

The €120 Million Fine Against X

But the EU Commission didn’t give up.

December 2025: The Penalty

On December 19, 2025, the EU Commission announced: X is fined €120 million for DSA violations.

Accusation: “Systematic and continued non-compliance with DSA obligations regarding content moderation, transparency, and risk mitigation.”

What was specifically criticized:

1. Insufficient Content Moderation

The Commission claimed X doesn’t moderate enough “hate speech” and “misinformation.”

Examples from the decision:

• Posts that criticize “gender identity” aren’t deleted
• Posts about “election integrity concerns” aren’t moderated
• Posts that “criticize EU institutions” aren’t algorithmically throttled

In other words: X refused to censor what the EU Commission wanted censored.

2. Lack of Transparency in Algorithms

The Commission demanded X must disclose in detail how its recommendation algorithms work.

X refused—for trade secret reasons.

3. Insufficient “Trusted Flagger” Cooperation

The Commission complained X doesn’t respond quickly enough to reports from EU-designated “Trusted Flaggers” (NGOs with censorship authority).

X’s position: “We treat Trusted Flaggers like normal users. No privileges.”

X Fights Back Legally

December 20, 2024:

X announced it would challenge the fine before the European Court of Justice (ECJ).

Legal arguments:

1. Arbitrary Application of DSA

X argued: Other platforms (Meta, Google, TikTok) have similar or worse content moderation but aren’t punished.

Why? Because they obey. X doesn’t.

This is selective enforcement—legally problematic.

2. Violation of Freedom of Expression

X argued: The EU Commission demands censorship of content protected under Art. 10 ECHR (European Convention on Human Rights).

3. Extraterritorial Overreach

X argued: The DSA demands X change its global policies to meet EU requirements. This violates US sovereignty and the First Amendment.

Status Today (February 2026)

The case is still pending before the ECJ.

The ruling is expected for 2027.

But:

Even if X wins, the EU Commission has already signaled: It will increase the fine or completely exclude X from the EU market.

X’s response (January 2026):

Elon Musk on X:

“We will not comply with authoritarian censorship demands. If the EU bans X, so be it. Europeans will lose access, and the EU will lose credibility as a ‘free society.'”

This is a poker game.

The EU bets: Musk will give in because he doesn’t want to lose the EU market (100+ million users).

Musk bets: The EU won’t dare ban X because the political backlash would be too great.

Who wins?

We’ll see in 2027.

Why Breton Failed

Thierry Breton made four fundamental mistakes:

1. He Underestimated Musk

Breton thought Musk was like Mark Zuckerberg or Sundar Pichai—businesspeople who want to avoid scandals, who kowtow before congressional committees, who accept regulation.

But Musk is different.

Musk has “fuck you money.” He’s the richest person in the world. He can afford to put principles over profit.

And Musk enjoys public fights. The more the EU threatens him, the more publicity he gets. His supporters love him for it.

Breton tried to intimidate a man who cannot be intimidated.

2. He Underestimated the US Reaction

Breton apparently thought the USA would stay silent.

Wrong.

The August 12 letter was direct interference in the US election campaign. A foreign official threatened an American company over an interview with a presidential candidate.

This is unacceptable from a US perspective.

The House Judiciary Committee, the State Department, even moderate US politicians were outraged.

Breton didn’t just have Musk against him. He had the entire US government against him.

3. He Overestimated EU Power

Breton believed the EU could force tech giants to obey—through fines, through threats, through market exclusion.

This works for companies primarily dependent on the EU market.

Not for X. X is global. The EU market is important but not existential.

If the EU excludes X, the EU loses more than X:

• EU citizens lose access to important global debate
• EU politicians lose an important communication platform
• EU loses credibility as a “free society”

Musk knows this. Breton didn’t.

4. He Made It Personal

The public letter wasn’t regulation. It was personal revenge.

Breton wanted to humiliate Musk. Publicly. Before the whole world.

But he was humiliated himself.

Musk’s “Fuck your own face” meme went viral. Millions laughed at Breton. Media worldwide reported on the scandal.

One month later: Resignation.

The lesson:

Personal pride and geopolitical power are a dangerous combination.

What This Means

The Breton-Musk conflict shows three things:

1. X is the Only Major Platform That Resists

Meta obeys. Google obeys. TikTok obeys.

Only X doesn’t.

Why? Because Musk puts principles over profit (or at least pretends to).

2. Therefore X is Punished Harder

The €120 million fine against X is higher than fines against other platforms for more serious violations.

Why? Because the EU wants to make an example: Obedience is rewarded. Resistance is crushed.

3. But Intimidation Doesn’t Always Work

Breton tried to intimidate Musk.

Result: Breton lost his career. Musk is stronger than ever.

The lesson for the EU Commission:

Authoritarian tactics work against weak opponents. Against strong opponents, they can backfire.

The lesson for citizens:

Resistance is possible. Even against overpowering bureaucracies.

If enough people—and enough powerful people—say no, the system cannot win.

Part 6 – Stanford & the US Connection

How American universities and think tanks coordinated with the EU Commission to implement global censorship. Stanford Internet Observatory. Election Integrity Partnership. Virality Project. “Switchboarding” between USA and EU. The transatlantic censorship alliance.

Michael Hollister is a geopolitical analyst and investigative journalist. He served six years in the German military, including peacekeeping deployments in the Balkans (SFOR, KFOR), followed by 14 years in IT security management. His analysis draws on primary sources to examine European militarization, Western intervention policy, and shifting power dynamics across Asia. A particular focus of his work lies in Southeast Asia, where he investigates strategic dependencies, spheres of influence, and security architectures. Hollister combines operational insider perspective with uncompromising systemic critique—beyond opinion journalism. His work appears on his bilingual website (German/English) www.michael-hollister.com, at Substack at https://michaelhollister.substack.com and in investigative outlets across the German-speaking world and the Anglosphere.

This analysis is made available for free – but high-quality research takes time, money, energy, and focus. If you’d like to support this work, you can do so here:

Alternatively, support my work with a Substack subscription – from as little as 5 USD/month or 40 USD/year!
Let’s build a counter-public together.

SOURCES

Thierry Breton Letter to Elon Musk (August 12, 2024)
(Originally published on X)

Elon Musk Response via X (August 12, 2024)
Musk posted: “To be honest, I really wanted to respond with this Tropic Thunder meme, but I would NEVER do something so rude & irresponsible!” – with “Fuck your own face” meme

Jim Jordan Letter to Thierry Breton (August 15, 2024)

Jim Jordan Follow-Up Letter (September 10, 2024)

U.S. State Department Protest (August 13, 2024)
Not released as separate document but cited in US House Report (pages 78-81)

EU Commission DSA Decision against X (December 2025)
Press Release
(€120 million fine, published December 2025)

U.S. House Committee on the Judiciary: “The Foreign Censorship Threat, Part II” (February 3, 2026)

Internal EU Commission Documents
Not publicly accessible, cited in US House Report (pages 82-85)

© Michael Hollister — All rights reserved. Redistribution, publication or reuse of this text requires express written permission from the author. For licensing inquiries, please contact the author via www.michael-hollister.com.

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