On December 6, billionaire Elon Musk sparked a storm on social media after reacting furiously to the European Union’s (EU) decision to fine his platform, X, €120 million ($140 million). The EU accused X of violating transparency obligations under the Digital Services Act (DSA), a key law governing online content on large platforms.

According to Politico, Musk warned that his response would directly target the high-ranking officials behind the fine, not just his social media platform. On X, he wrote bluntly:

“The EU has imposed this insane fine not only on X but also on me personally, which is even crazier! Therefore, our response should not only target the EU but also the individuals who carried out this action against me.”

Musk went even further, making a shocking political statement:

“The EU should be dismantled, and sovereignty should be returned to individual nations so that governments can better represent their people.”

Immediately, Dmitry Medvedev, former President and Prime Minister of Russia and now Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council, voiced strong support for Musk, commenting succinctly under the post: “Exactly!”, sending shockwaves through the global online community.

Musk’s anger stems from EU accusations that the blue verification checkmark on X is misleading. Previously, it indicated verified accounts, but now anyone can pay to obtain it, making it harder for users to distinguish between real and fake accounts. The EU also criticized X for a lack of transparency in advertising and for restricting public access to research data, which violates obligations under the DSA.

The €120 million fine is just the initial stage. X has 60 days to present a plan addressing the verification check issue and 90 days to resolve other violations. Failure to comply could result in heavier penalties.

The response from the U.S. was equally sharp. Vice President JD Vance said the EU “should support freedom of speech rather than attack American companies over trivial matters.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio added that the fine is not just targeting X but represents an attack on American tech companies and the rights of U.S. citizens. Many officials from former President Trump’s administration warned that the EU’s move constitutes overreach and could negatively affect transatlantic trade relations.

The EU maintains that this is not censorship, but a matter of transparency to ensure online platforms operate fairly, clearly, and without misleading users. EC Vice President for Digital Sovereignty, Henna Virkkunen, emphasized: “The DSA is not about censorship. This decision is about the transparency of X.”

Meanwhile, the international reaction is increasingly polarized. Some far-right European politicians, like Dutch MP Geert Wilders, sided with Musk, calling for the dismantling of the European Commission and the return of sovereignty to individual nations. In Russia, Medvedev’s support for Musk’s call to “dismantle the EU” further escalated tensions, making the story even more controversial and attention-grabbing.

Musk has yet to reveal exactly how he will retaliate against the EU or the officials involved, but it is clear that this is just the beginning of a legal and political battle between him and the EU. The fine is not merely a legal action but a symbolic clash over power, free speech, and control of global social media platforms.

With such strong statements and support from unexpected allies, the world is watching Elon Musk’s every move. Will the EU stand firm, or will Musk find a way to strike back? One thing is certain: the story of Musk versus the EU is far from over, and the global audience is eagerly awaiting the next explosive development.