France’s foreign minister, Jean-Noel Barrot, has accused Elon Musk of orchestrating massive online harassment campaigns against European leaders to influence political debates, The Guardian reports. Speaking at an Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development conference on Tuesday, Barrot highlighted the growing role of social media in what he described as a global struggle to protect democratic institutions.
Barrot argued that forces seeking to undermine democracy currently dominate the information sphere by using specific tactics meant to polarize public debate. He noted that political movements with authoritarian aims are gaining ground across Europe and North America, and he warned that these groups play right into the hands of democracy’s declared enemies. Their ultimate goal is clear, as he stated, “to seize power and then create the conditions to never relinquish it.”
Barrot pointed out that far-right leader Marine Le Pen is currently leading in the polls for the upcoming 2027 presidential election in France, and he believes enemies of democracy are doing everything they can to destabilize the country. He explained that these actors exploit existing divisions regarding immigration, secularism, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict to stoke hatred and tensions.
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Barrot singled out Elon Musk, the world’s richest man, for his role in these efforts. He claimed that there are massive online harassment campaigns launched by Elon Musk against European leaders in order to influence debates by exploiting the virality of his social media platform. Musk did not reply to a request for comment regarding these accusations.
The minister also highlighted how recent protests in France, which saw students and trade unionists blockading schools, have been exploited by hostile narratives originating from Russia, China, and Iran. He also pointed to those associated with the MAGA movement in the US as contributors to this trend. Just last week, President Donald Trump and Musk both weighed in on these French protests, choosing to frame the events through the lens of mass migration while disregarding the protesters’ specific demands for better school conditions.
Barrot listed several other examples of interference. He mentioned an unnamed Israeli company accused of creating fake French social media accounts to influence perceptions of the Israel-Gaza war and accusations that Azerbaijan stirred up tensions during riots in New Caledonia. These efforts are often driven by paid or commissioned influencers who know exactly how to leverage the viral reach of digital platforms.
Barrot noted that the Kremlin’s goal is explicitly stated, which is to put an end to liberal democracies in favor of a new authoritarianism. He observed that other actors are converging on this same goal, seeking to dictate to Europe which democracies are good and which are bad based on whether they align with their own interests. This sentiment echoes recent comments from the British prime minister, Andy Burnham, who stated it was clear that Russia had interfered in the Brexit referendum.
Moving forward, the French government intends to take a firm stance against these foreign entities. Barrot emphasized that his government would work to counter these efforts because they undermine the nation’s fundamental interests. As he put it, “We are uncompromising, because it is clear to us that they undermine the nation’s fundamental interests.”
He added that France does not tolerate any foreign interference, from wherever it may come, as it is a matter of sovereignty.
Published: Oct 14, 2026 05:12 pm