US backs Elon Musk's bid to overturn €120m EU fine against X

Image source, Getty ImagesByLaura CressTechnology reporterPublished2 hours agoThe US government is seeking to join Elon Musk's legal challenge to overturn a €120m (£105m) EU fine against X over its blue tick badges.

In December 2025, the European Commission said the platform "deceives users" by allowing people to pay for a blue verified check mark, because it is not "meaningfully verifying" who is behind the account.

But US Assistant Attorney General Brett A. Shumate said on Thursday that the commission had "inappropriately attempted" to expand its reach to American companies outside its control.

Musk, who spent millions helping elect Donald Trump and other Republicans, has previously claimed EU tech regulation "inhibits progress" for companies.

The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has filed an application, external with the EU's General Court in support of Musk's and X's attempts to dismiss ​the case.

It claims that under a section of law in the Statute of the Court of Justice of the EU, a state may intervene in disputes before the court if it "can establish an interest in the result of the case to the court".

The DOJ said the US "has a clear interest" in ensuring any decision by the commission was applied consistently with "how territorial jurisdiction is generally understood in international law".

It also wants to make sure it would not "otherwise prejudice" US-headquartered digital services that "contribute significantly" to its economy.

In a press briefing on Friday, external, European Commission spokesperson Thomas Regnier said it was "ready to defend" its position in court.

He added that the commission had an "solid case" at its disposal, due to the alleged breach of its Digital Services Act.

and the Commission is of course absolutely ready to defend its position in court. And a follow up.

In addition to its use of blue ticks, EU regulators accused X of failing to provide transparency around its adverts and denying researchers access to public data.