Billionaire Elon Musk’s recent appointment to lead the US Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is expected to send shockwaves across the Atlantic, testing the EU’s regulatory clout in the digital sphere.

The European Union and Musk have clashed repeatedly, especially since his $44 billion acquisition of Twitter - now known as X.

On 23 December 2023, the European Commission launched an investigation into X for violating the Digital Services Act (DSA), including content moderation issues. Meanwhile, Musk’s image as a staunch defender of free speech has energized Europe’s far-right, who increasingly see him as an ideological ally.

But where does the EU stand in this escalating dispute, and how might Brussels respond to Musk’s new role?

Join host Giada Santana and Euractiv tech editor Eliza Gritski as they unpack the EU’s probe into X, the controversial DOGE commission, and Musk’s growing influence on both sides of the Atlantic.