The French Foreign Minister accuses Elon Musk of launching online harassment campaigns against European leaders

Gabriel Dumitrache

15 October 2026, 12:57

International

Jim WATSON / AFP / Profimedia

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot accused billionaire Elon Musk of using the X platform to orchestrate massive online harassment campaigns against European leaders and to influence public debate ahead of France’s presidential election, scheduled for 2027.

In a speech delivered on Tuesday at a conference of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, Barrot warned that social media had become a central tool in the struggle for control of the information space. According to the minister, hostile forces use polarisation tactics and exploit issues such as immigration, secularism and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to fuel tensions.

Barrot argued that political movements with authoritarian objectives had gained ground in Europe and North America, and that Russia, China, Iran and actors associated with the Maga movement in the United States were exploiting the recent protests in France. He stated that Moscow was explicitly seeking to weaken liberal democracies.

The minister also mentioned allegations that fake accounts were being used to influence public opinion, as well as Azerbaijan’s alleged involvement in escalating tensions in New Caledonia. Musk did not respond to a request for comment. Barrot stated that France would not tolerate foreign interference, regardless of its source.

Context: France warned in advance of 2027 about foreign interference and linked public debate to online campaigns

Before the recent accusations, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot warned that the French presidential election scheduled for 2027 could be affected by attempts at interference. In his speech, he argued that opponents of democracy are trying to destabilize society and exploit internal divisions, using issues such as immigration and secularism, as well as the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

Barrot also mentioned examples of online amplification attributed to external actors, including fake accounts and social media campaigns. At the same time, he emphasized that France does not intend to tolerate foreign interference in the electoral process, presenting the protection of elections as a matter of sovereignty and calling for the regulation of platforms to limit manipulation.

In the same context, there have also been public disputes related to the X network and its role in election campaigns, after Musk criticized a French candidate who called for the temporary suspension of the platform during the electoral period. French authorities indicated that they are working to strengthen protection measures ahead of the 2027 election.