French authorities have escalated their investigation into Elon Musk and his social media platform X, focusing on allegations of hosting illegal content and failing to comply with legal summons. The probe, initiated in January 2025, has now been assigned to a judge, with Musk facing potential charges related to child pornography, deepfakes, and disinformation. The investigation coincides with Musk's legal troubles in the U.S., where he appeared in federal court in Oakland, California, in April 2026.
The Paris prosecutor's office is investigating Musk and X for allegedly hosting child sexual abuse images and AI-generated deepfakes. The platform's AI chatbot, Grok, has been accused of disseminating sexually explicit content and Holocaust-denying material. Musk's refusal to testify in April 2026 has further complicated the case, leading to increased legal scrutiny in France. Le Figaro+2
Prosecutors are pursuing charges against Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino for complicity in the dissemination of illegal content. The case includes allegations of manipulated algorithms and the spread of disinformation. The investigation also targets Musk for alleged complicity in denying crimes against humanity, adding a significant layer of complexity to the legal proceedings. Bloomberg+2
Musk has publicly criticized French judges following his failure to respond to a summons from the Paris prosecutor's office. His comments have sparked controversy, particularly in the UK, where he targeted left-leaning groups. The ongoing investigation and Musk's public outbursts have heightened tensions, raising questions about the future of X and its leadership under increasing legal pressure. France 24+2