France Warns of Election Interference, Accuses Musk of Targeting European Leaders

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot has accused Elon Musk of using his social media platform, X, to conduct “online harassment” against European leaders, as concerns grow over possible foreign interference in France’s 2027 presidential election.

Barrot issued the warning on Tuesday during a conference organised by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, saying anti-democratic forces would attempt to exploit political and social divisions ahead of the election scheduled for April and May.

The contest could offer far-right politician Marine Le Pen her strongest opportunity yet to secure the presidency.

“The enemies of democracy will do everything to destabilise us,” the foreign minister said.

According to Barrot, hostile actors were taking advantage of contentious issues such as immigration, secularism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to fuel social tensions and spread hatred.

“They exploit our divisions and exploit issues such as immigration, secularism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to stoke hatred and tension,” he said.

He also alleged that an Israeli company, whose name he did not disclose, had created fake French accounts on social media to spread posts about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Barrot’s strongest criticism, however, was directed at Musk, the billionaire owner of X.

He accused the technology entrepreneur of engaging in “massive online harassment campaigns by Elon Musk against European leaders, aimed at influencing national debates by exploiting the viral nature of his social network.”

Musk, Trump Comments Draw Attention

The French minister’s warning followed weeks of protests by high school students over their conditions, with Barrot expressing concern about the narratives circulating online about the demonstrations.

He attributed some of the coverage to what he called “hostile narratives originating from Russia and China, as well as Iran and the MAGA community,” a reference to supporters of US President Donald Trump.

Trump had weighed in on the situation in France the previous week through his Truth Social account, writing that “what’s happening in France is nothing less than out of control mass migration.”

Musk later amplified the argument in a post to his 241.5 million followers on X.

“It’s an invasion in slow motion, but an invasion nonetheless. And those who support the invasion are traitors who deserve the fate of all traitors,” Musk wrote.

Barrot said France would not accept attempts by foreign actors to shape its domestic political debate.

“We do not tolerate any foreign interference, from wherever it may come. It is a matter of sovereignty,” he declared.

The warning reflects wider concerns about the role of social media platforms in spreading political narratives and potentially influencing elections.

In a related development, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said on Monday that it was “clear” Russia had interfered in the United Kingdom’s 2016 Brexit referendum. The vote ultimately led to Britain leaving the European Union.

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