US Refuses to Help France Investigate Elon Musk's X Platform

The United States has refused to assist France in its investigation into Elon Musk's social media platform X, with the Justice Department accusing French authorities of attempting to use criminal law to regulate free speech. The DOJ sent a two-page letter to French officials saying it would not facilitate their requests for assistance, including three attempts this year to serve summonses on X officials. The department stated that France's investigation "seeks to use the criminal legal system in France to regulate a public square for the free expression of ideas and opinions in a manner contrary to the First Amendment." Elon Musk did not appear Monday for a voluntary interview with Paris prosecutors, who had summoned him as part of the investigation. Musk had previously called French authorities "retards" in a French-language post on X. Prosecutors said they "took note of the absence" but that the investigation would continue regardless. The billionaire's summons was scheduled for this week, along with those for former X chief executive Linda Yaccarino and other employees. The investigation began in January 2025 after complaints that X's algorithm, which authorities say favored Musk's views, could amount to foreign interference in French politics. French investigators raided X's Paris office in February, marking an escalation in European regulatory action against the platform. The probe has since expanded to include allegations of antisemitic content, Holocaust denial, and the distribution of child pornography and non-consensual deepfakes through X's AI chatbot Grok. French prosecutors sought access to X's algorithm in July 2025 and can issue arrest warrants for individuals who fail to appear for interviews. X has called the investigation "abusive law enforcement theatre" and expressed gratitude to the DOJ for rejecting French requests.