US Justice Department Joins Elon Musk's Challenge to EU Fine

The United States Department of Justice has applied to the European Union's General Court to intervene in a legal challenge filed by Elon Musk to annul a €120 million ($136.51 million) fine imposed on X Corp. The penalty, issued on December 5, 2025, marks the first fine ever levied under the Digital Services Act. The European Commission penalized the platform for breaching transparency obligations, utilizing deceptive design in its blue checkmark system, and denying researchers access to public data.

U.S. officials characterize the fine as regulatory overreach and a tool of censorship. The Trump administration argues that the European Commission inappropriately attempted to expand its authority to target American companies operating outside its jurisdiction. In a related escalation, the administration previously announced sanctions against five individuals, including former EU commissioner Thierry Breton.

European Commission officials maintain the fine is proportionate and protects digital and democratic standards without targeting specific nationalities. While X Corp filed its appeal in February citing due process violations, the company has simultaneously moved to comply with the ruling by relabeling blue checkmarks as premium and expanding data access for researchers. The General Court must now determine if the United States has sufficient legal interest to join the litigation.