Tensions have risen between Elon Musk and Marine Tondelier. The owner of X accused the Green Party leader of "betraying France" after her statements in favor of a possible temporary ban on the social network during the 2027 presidential campaign. The Green candidate immediately responded, denouncing an attempt at political intimidation by the American billionaire.
Marine Tondelier is considering a ban on X during the campaign
The clash stems from Marine Tondelier's statements regarding the role of X during the 2027 French presidential election. The Green Party leader believes that a temporary suspension of the platform should be considered if it becomes a vehicle for foreign interference or manipulation of the vote. For several months, the Green Party leader has criticized the workings of the social network owned by Elon Musk and the influence it can wield in the political debate. She had previously advocated for a collective withdrawal of political figures from the platform. This time, Marine Tondelier goes further by directly raising the possibility of blocking access to X during the election period. Her statements quickly circulated on the social network before reaching Elon Musk.
Elon Musk: "I demand that she be silenced for treason against France."
The American billionaire personally responded to Marine Tondelier's remarks. In a message posted on X, Elon Musk demanded that she be silenced, accusing her of betraying her country. "I demand that she be silenced for treason against France ," wrote the owner of X.
"I am the French candidate you want to silence."
Marine Tondelier was quick to respond directly to Elon Musk, also on X : "I am the French presidential candidate you want to silence for treason against France ," she told him.
The environmentalist then rejected the accusation of lack of patriotism made by the American billionaire : "France does not need to receive lessons in patriotism from a foreign billionaire who thinks he can decide which European political figures should be silenced ," she continued.
"Democracy is not for sale."
Marine Tondelier extended her response by directly attacking the political influence attributed to Elon Musk and his platform . "Democracy is not for sale. Not even to the richest man in the world ," declared the Green Party candidate. She added that she preferred to be accused of "defending democracy" rather than "trying to buy it . "
X at the heart of a political confrontation less than a year before the presidential election
This exchange comes as Marine Tondelier is now campaigning for the 2027 presidential election. The national secretary of the Green Party has continued her travels across France in recent weeks to promote her candidacy and platform. The role of major digital platforms in election campaigns is expected to be among the topics debated as the election approaches. Marine Tondelier advocates for much stricter regulation of X and believes that a suspension should be possible in the event of a threat to the integrity of the election. Elon Musk, on the other hand, regularly defends a very broad interpretation of freedom of expression on his platform and criticizes European policies for regulating social networks. A regulatory policy which, it must be said, looks more like censorship than anything else…
