Quick Hit:

As Elon Musk and Donald Trump prepared for a historic "Spaces" conversation on X, the platform faced a suspected DDOS attack. Meanwhile, European officials pressured Musk to censor the event, raising concerns about foreign influence on U.S. elections.

Key Details:

• Musk cited a massive DDOS attack as the cause of delays in the Trump interview on X.

• The European Union pressured Musk to censor Trump’s interview, citing concerns over "harmful content."

• Musk and X executives criticized the EU’s attempts as an overreach, impacting U.S. political discourse.

Diving Deeper:

The highly anticipated live conversation between Elon Musk and Donald Trump, scheduled to air on X Monday evening, faced significant challenges both from technical issues and international pressures. Musk, who has endorsed Trump, reported a suspected DDOS attack that delayed the start of the interview. More than 20 minutes after the intended launch, Musk informed users on X that the platform was working to shut down the attack. He also suggested that the conversation might continue with a smaller audience, with the recording posted later.

However, technical issues weren’t the only obstacle. Just hours before the event, European Union officials escalated their efforts to rein in the conversation, pressuring Musk to censor the live interview. Thierry Breton, the EU commissioner for the internal market, issued a stern warning that the event could violate the EU’s new Digital Services Act (DSA), which targets harmful content online.

This intervention by the EU is seen by many as an unprecedented attempt to influence the U.S. presidential campaign, particularly as Trump’s interview was expected to draw a massive audience less than 100 days before the election. Critics argue that the EU’s actions represent a significant overreach, attempting to apply European regulations to American political discourse. X Chief Executive Linda Yaccarino called it “an unprecedented attempt to stretch a law intended to apply in Europe to political activities in the U.S.”

Musk’s decision to go ahead with the interview, despite these pressures, underscores his commitment to free speech on the platform he acquired in 2022. Musk’s stance has not been without controversy, as he has faced criticism for his handling of content moderation and his often contentious public statements. Yet, his determination to keep X as a platform for open debate, even in the face of international criticism, highlights the complex dynamics between global regulation and American free speech principles.