Spain says Musk poses ‘threat to democracy’ after attack on Prime Minister Sanchez

Justice Minister Felix Bolanos responded after Musk called Sanchez a “fascist totalitarian” and a “traitor to the Spanish people” in posts on his social media platform X, following the prime minister’s announcement of new measures targeting illegal content on social networks.

Speaking to reporters, Bolanos said Musk’s comments reflected a broader threat posed by powerful tech figures intervening directly in politics.

“For many years, we have seen billionaires using their wealth to promote political agendas that weaken rights and damage social cohesion,” Bolanos said.

“Now they’ve gone a step further,” he said. “This tech caste, these predators of everyone, are now directly involved in politics. They enter the public debate and threaten our respect, our coexistence, our rights and our democracy.”

Musk’s remarks came after Sanchez said Spain would move to crack down on illicit content on social networks, including proposals to hold company executives criminally liable for illegal material, restrict access for users under the age of 16 and criminalize the manipulation of algorithms to amplify disinformation.

Bolanos, who also serves as minister of the presidency, said the debate is about “billionaires who threaten us” and “progressive, courageous politicians like Pedro Sanchez who stand up to them and defend what belongs to everyone.”

The dispute has also drawn reactions from Spain’s far-right opposition. Vox leader Santiago Abascal reposted Musk’s comments on X, accusing Sanchez of being “a corrupt criminal.”

Sanchez has so far avoided responding directly to Musk.

Speaking Tuesday in Dubai, the prime minister had defended Spain’s regulatory push, saying the country would “defend its digital sovereignty against any foreign interference.”

The clash marks the second public exchange between Sanchez and Musk in less than a week.

On Friday, Musk criticized Spain’s decision to regularize more than 500,000 undocumented migrants. Sanchez responded with a pointed remark aimed at Musk’s space ambitions.​​​​​​​

“Mars can wait,” Sanchez wrote. “Humanity can’t.”