Elon Musk’s recent discussion with Donald Trump on X attracted a significant live audience, exemplifying the essence of free speech in America, where open dialogues—with all their complexities—are constitutionally protected. While freedom of expression can be contentious, it is fundamental to American democracy, contrasting sharply with the restrictive stance of Thierry Breton, the E.U. commissioner for internal markets.

Breton’s correspondence with Musk threatened legal repercussions for X unless it adhered to the Digital Services Act (DSA), urging the platform to censor the Trump interview to comply with E.U. regulations. These regulations call for moderation of content deemed harmful, including anything promoting hate or violence, effectively placing E.U. authorities in control over significant American political discourse.

This encroachment raises concerns about the so-called “Brussels effect,” where American companies must navigate compliance with E.U. laws, often leading to altered products or services that align with these stringent regulations. Breton’s actions underline the potential repercussions for U.S. speech and elections while serving as a warning about the misuse of such censorship measures, which could be applied more broadly by future E.U. administrations to suppress dissenting voices.

In response, it is imperative for the U.S. government to advocate for American citizens’ rights and resist E.U. attempts to dictate online expression and information surrounding U.S. elections. This scenario highlights an urgent need for a unified approach to safeguard free speech in the digital age, lest American companies withdraw from the E.U. market entirely due to its overregulation.