Commissioner for Internal Market of the European Union Thierry Breton has resigned after making efforts to censor Elon Musk’s X.
Last month, Breton sent a letter to Musk demanding that he mitigate the “amplification of harmful content in connection with relevant events.” The letter came as Musk was set to hold an interview with former President Donald Trump.
“This is important against the background of recent examples of public unrest brought about by the amplification of content that promotes hatred, disorder, incitement to violence, or certain instances of disinformation,” Breton wrote.
Breton has since resigned.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude to my colleagues in the College, Commission services, MEPs, Member States, and my team,” he wrote on X. “Together, we have worked tirelessly to advance an ambitious EU agenda. It has been an honour & privilege to serve the common European interest.”
Breton cited “questionable governance” as the reason for his resignation.
According to the resignation letter, French President Emmanuel Macron initially designated Breton as “France’s official candidate for a second mandate in the College of Commissioners.” European Union President Ursula von der Leyen asked France to “withdraw” his name.”
Breton described the development as a “political trade-off.” He wrote that his name was withdrawn for “personal reasons that in no instance [von der Leyen] discussed directly with me.”
X CEO Linda Yaccarino called Breton’s resignation a “good day for free speech.”
