Elon Musk posted a provocative image on his social media account on platform X. The graphic showed the flag of European Union split in half and overlaid with Nazi symbols — with the caption “Fourth Reich.” The post appeared without explanation.
The gesture intensifies an already heated dispute between Musk and the EU. Just days earlier, regulators imposed a €120 million fine on X for violating transparency rules under the bloc’s digital law.
The impact is likely to resonate widely across Europe and beyond. The comparison to Nazi Germany has the potential to inflame tensions among EU leaders, lawmakers and the public — especially given the historical weight of the “Fourth Reich” label.