Elon Musk has sharply criticised French judicial authorities investigating his social media platform, X, prompting a new legal complaint from a French gay rights organisation.
French authorities launched an investigation in January 2025 into allegations that X, formerly known as Twitter, was used to interfere in French political affairs.
The inquiry has since expanded to include allegations relating to Holocaust denial, the circulation of sexually explicit deepfake content, and suspected complicity in the distribution of child sexual abuse material.
Reacting to reports about the latest phase of the investigation, Musk posted a controversial message in French on Friday criticising prosecutors involved in the case.
The remarks triggered backlash from rights groups, with French advocacy organisation Stop Homophobie filing a legal complaint against the billionaire entrepreneur.
According to the group’s lawyer, Etienne Deshoulieres, the complaint accuses Musk of “public insults towards a group of people because of their sexual orientation or gender identity.”
Musk, who is under investigation alongside former X Chief Executive Officer Linda Yaccarino, had earlier declined to respond to a summons from French judicial authorities for an informal interview.
The Tesla and SpaceX chief has repeatedly criticised the French investigation, previously describing magistrates involved in the case in derogatory terms following a police raid on X’s Paris office in February.
At the time, X condemned the judicial action, alleging political motives behind the investigation while denying any wrongdoing.
The company declined to comment on Musk’s latest statements when contacted by AFP.
The ongoing probe has intensified scrutiny of social media platforms and their role in political influence, online safety, and the spread of harmful content across Europe.
