Trump DOJ Refuses to Aid France's Investigation into Elon Musk's X, Calls Probe 'Unjust'

Gate News message, April 18 — The Trump Justice Department has rejected France's requests for assistance in investigating Elon Musk's social media platform X, according to a two-page letter sent by the DOJ's Office of International Affairs this week. U.S. officials stated the investigation is politically motivated and violates the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution.

French authorities had submitted three separate requests for U.S. cooperation in 2025, including attempts to serve legal summons to X officials. The investigation began in January 2025 following complaints that the platform's content selection constituted foreign interference in France. Investigators raided X's Paris office in February, and have since summoned Elon Musk, former CEO Linda Yaccarino, and other employees for interviews. Under French law, failing to appear can result in arrest warrants.

Authorities are investigating allegations related to deepfake content and alleged algorithmic bias favoring Elon's views. The DOJ's letter stated the case seeks to "use the criminal legal system in France to regulate a public square for the free expression of ideas and opinions in a manner contrary to the First Amendment." An xAI official, under which X now operates, responded: "We are grateful to the Justice Department for rejecting this effort by a prosecutor in Paris to compel our CEO and several employees to sit for interviews."