Elon Musk Sparks Controversy with “Make Europe Great Again” Slogan Amid EU investigation
In a bold move that has ignited widespread debate, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has introduced a new slogan, “Make Europe Great Again” (MEGA), echoing the infamous “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) chant popularized by former U.S.President donald Trump. The billionaire’s latest campaign, aimed at promoting far-right parties across Europe, has drawn sharp criticism from politicians and citizens alike, while the European Union intensifies its investigation into Musk’s social media platform, X.
Musk’s post on X, formerly known as Twitter, on January 18, 2025, read: “From MAGA to MEGA: Make Europe Great Again!” The slogan, which has become synonymous with Trump’s far-right base in the U.S., has now been adopted by Musk to rally support for Europe’s hard-right factions, including Germany’s Alternative for Germany (AfD), which is set to contest the upcoming German federal elections.
The timing of Musk’s post coincides with the EU’s decision to escalate its investigation into X’s algorithms. The European Commission has requested documents related to the platform’s “recommender systems,” which determine what content users see next. Henna Virkunnen, Executive Vice-President for Tech sovereignty, Security, and Democracy, stated, “Today we are taking further steps to shed light on the compliance of X’s recommender systems with the obligations under the DSA.”
Musk, however, has defended his stance, positioning himself as a champion of free speech and democracy. In a separate post, he argued, “So many people in Europe lack hope for the future or think europe is ‘bad’ in some way. Pervasive pessimism. This will lead to the end of Europe.Therefore, it must change.”
The billionaire’s involvement in European politics has not gone unnoticed. German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and other European leaders have accused Musk of attempting to interfere in the continent’s elections. This criticism follows a report by the Center for countering Digital Hate, which revealed that Musk’s “false or misleading claims about the U.S. elections” were viewed nearly 1.2 billion times on X in August 2024.
The slogan “MEGA” has also drawn comparisons to Hungarian Prime Minister viktor Orban’s use of similar rhetoric during his 2024 campaign for the European Parliament presidency. Orban, a prominent figure in Europe’s far-right movement, has long been a controversial figure for his nationalist policies.
As the EU investigation unfolds, musk’s influence on European politics remains a contentious issue.Critics argue that his efforts to promote far-right ideologies could destabilize the region’s political landscape,while supporters view his actions as a push for change in a system they believe is flawed.
Key Points at a Glance
| Aspect | Details |
|————————–|—————————————————————————–|
| Slogan | “Make Europe Great Again” (MEGA) |
| Inspiration | Echoes Trump’s “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) |
| Target | Support for Europe’s far-right parties, including Germany’s AfD |
| EU Investigation | Focus on X’s recommender systems and compliance with DSA obligations |
| Criticism | Accusations of election interference by european leaders |
| Musk’s Defense | Claims to champion free speech and democracy |
The debate over Musk’s “MEGA” campaign underscores the growing tension between tech giants and regulatory bodies, as well as the increasing influence of social media on global politics. As the EU continues its probe, the world watches to see how this clash between innovation and regulation will unfold.
What are your thoughts on Musk’s latest political maneuver? Share your opinions in the comments below.
