EU to pursue €120 million fine against X after US backs Musk's challenge

The European Union announced on Friday that it will continue to pursue a €120 million fine against the X social network after the United States Justice Department said it supports X owner Elon Musk’s effort to have the case annulled. The EU’s statement came in response to the U.S. department’s backing of Musk’s court challenge.

The fine, imposed in 2025, relates to X’s breach of EU online transparency rules, specifically the platform’s pay‑to‑play blue “verification” checkmark. The European Union said the penalty remains in force despite the United States’ position.

The EU will pursue the €120 million fine and the United States Justice Department backs Musk’s challenge to the 2025 penalty for the verification checkmark breach.