The European Union has fined X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, 120 million euros for misleading practices involving its blue checkmark verification system. Initially, X used blue checkmarks to certify verified news sources, but later changed the policy to offer them only to paying subscribers. The EU claimed this change violated the Digital Services Act (DSA), a regulation aimed at ensuring transparency and accountability for online platforms. In response, X has already taken steps to correct the issue and align with European regulations regarding the blue checkmark system. X challenged the fine in February before the European Union court, and the U.S. government has backed this legal challenge. On September 24, the U.S. requested to support X in its legal battle against the 120 million euro fine imposed by the European Union in December 2025. Brett Shumate, deputy to Justice Minister Todd Blanche, stated that the U.S. will not allow the European Commission to overstep its regulatory authority and control American innovation and growth. The U.S. government argues that upholding the fine could set a precedent with significant consequences for major American technology companies. The U.S. has also criticized the European Union for investigating Elon Musk and his other companies, despite their lack of direct connection to the social media platform. Elon Musk has a close relationship with former U.S. President Donald Trump and spent nearly 300 million euros to support Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign. After Trump’s inauguration, Musk took on a leadership role in the Doge commission, a group focused on finding government savings. Musk’s team implemented significant budget cuts and layoffs of civil servants, which led to a decline in his public image. In May 2025, Musk distanced himself from the Doge commission before publicly falling out with Trump, whom he accused of financial mismanagement. However, the two have since reconciled. The U.S. government’s support for X’s legal challenge highlights the growing tension between regulatory bodies in the EU and U.S. tech companies, as well as the complex political relationships involving key figures in both regions.