French President Emmanuel Macron is the latest leader to join a growing chorus of European criticism of billionaire Elon Musk, now also a close of US President-elect Donald Trump.

Accusing the world’s richest man of intervening directly in the continent’s democratic processes, Emmanuel Macron said the SpaceX and Tesla boss was directly intervening in elections.

Advertisment

The French President on Monday (January 6) accused billionaire Elon Musk, the owner of social media platform X, of meddling in elections, including Germany’s upcoming snap polls.

"Ten years ago, who could have imagined it if we had been told that the owner of one of the largest social networks in the world would support a new international reactionary movement and intervene directly in elections, including in Germany," Macron said in a speech to French ambassadors.

Also read: 'A line has been crossed': UK PM Keir Starmer slams Elon Musk for spreading 'lies and misinformation'

Advertisment

Macron’s comment comes after Musk’s recent posts about the German elections and his comments on UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

This is not the first time such accusations have been levelled against the X boss.

Last month, Macron hosted world leaders, including Donald Trump and Elon Musk, to celebrate the reopening of Notre Dame Cathedral. The 860-year-old landmark had been severely damaged by fire in 2019 but has now been restored.

Advertisment

‘I find it worrying’: Norwegian Prime Minister 

Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store said on Monday that he was concerned by billionaire Elon Musk's recent statements on the internal affairs of European nations.

"I find it worrying that a man with considerable access to social networks and significant economic resources is so directly involved in the internal affairs of other countries," Store said.

While both the French president and the Norwegian prime minister refrained from mentioning the billionaire by name, there was no doubt who they were talking about.

Musk, who owns the social media platform X, is a close ally of Donald Trump and has been asked by the incoming U.S. president to cut the federal budget as a special adviser.

Earlier, Germany said, "It is indeed the case that Elon Musk is trying to influence the federal election."

Scholz responds to Musk’s comments

On Sunday (January 5), German Chancellor Olaf Scholz dismissed Musk’s recent statements, including insults aimed at him, referring to Musk as a “troll.” Speaking to the German magazine Stern, Scholz said, “Don’t feed the troll,” when questioned about Musk’s comments.

“You have to stay cool. As Social Democrats, we have long been used to the fact that there are rich media entrepreneurs who do not appreciate social democratic politics and do not hide their opinions,” Scholz said.

Also read: Nigel Farage's 'hero' Elon Musk thinks he 'doesn’t have what it takes' to lead Reform UK

The Chancellor added he had no interest in engaging with Musk, adding, “I don’t believe in courting Mr Musk’s favour. I’m happy to leave that to others. The rule is: don’t feed the troll.”

Scholz had condemned Musk for his erratic comments after the billionaire labelled the German leader an incompetent fool.

The Chancellor also warned voters not to let the owners of social media channels decide the snap elections in February

Musk has publicly endorsed Germany’s far-right Alternative für Deutschland (AfD) party ahead of the February federal elections. He also plans to host a live discussion with Alice Weidel, the AfD’s chancellor candidate, on his platform, X.

Also read: Musk replies to Starlink appeal from Pakistan user: ‘Waiting for approval’

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has also slammed those "spreading lies and misinformation".

 

Starmer's comments followed days of incendiary posts by Musk on his X platform over historical sex offences against children in Northern England.

Musk has accused Starmer of being "deeply complicit in the mass rapes”.

 

According to one report, senior politicians in three of Britain’s biggest parties—Labour, Liberal Democrats and Reform—have privately urged Donald Trump’s allies to reconsider his relationship with Elon Musk.

 

(With inputs from agencies)