Marine Tondelier, general secretary of the Ecologists and a declared presidential candidate, has has encouraged a temporary shutdown of X, suggesting that this measure would improve public debate.
In a Libération interview, she stated that, in addition to digital attacks that disrupt public debate and the presidential campaign, Elon Musk’s social media platform has a “much more structural, day-to-day impact on the spread of disinformation.”
“If X were to shut down for a month, it would do a world of good for the French public debate,” she stated, adding that “The ‘ratings’ meant to indicate the veracity of posts are now a source of further fake news.”
She also claimed that the platform cannot be considered solely as a matter of freedom of expression or enterprise, as it is controlled from the US by an owner “with a supremacist ideology, who clearly wants to push Europe into total submission to the US.” Moreover, she said, the platform regularly challenges her statements on environmental protection, adding that “the algorithm of this social network is rigged.”
Her statements came after a US entrepreneur backed Marine Le Pen last month ahead of the 2027 presidential election, when Musk said that “She is France’s last hope.” Currently, IFOP polls put Tondelier’s support at 3-5%, whilst Le Pen leads with 35% and looks set to reach the second round.
The Green Party leader’s remarks did not sit well with Musk, who expressed his displeasure on social media, stating: “I demand that she be shut down for treason against France!”
“France does not need lessons in patriotism from a foreign billionaire who thinks he gets to decide which European political leaders should be silenced. Democracy is not for sale. Not even to the richest man in the world,” Tondelier replied to Musk’s comments, adding that she did not understand what he meant.
Tondelier has repeatedly criticised the platform in the past. For instance, in January last year, she stated that “This network must be banned in Europe. Whether I leave it or not, it will still have an impact on the real world. It will contribute to destabilising the next elections,” adding that X was a “source of suffering, as a politician and as a woman.”
