The future vice president of the USA sent a tough message to Europe

JD Vance, the incoming Republican vice president of the next US administration, has warned that the US may review its NATO support if the European Union tries to censor US social media platforms.

Vance emphasized that freedom of speech is a core element of American values, and believes that European allies should respect this principle as well.

Vance stands for free speech

During the campaign, Vance is one in an interview expressed his views to podcaster Shawn Ryan, where he recalled an incident in which an EU official admonished Elon Musk for allowing Donald Trump back on the X platform. Vance pointed out the difference between European and American values: “One of the leaders of the EU – I can’t remember exactly who it was – sent a threatening message to Elon Musk saying, ‘We will arrest you if you leave Donald Trump on the platform,’ who, by the way, could be the next president of the United States.”

Related content: EU lawmakers could ban X if Musk doesn’t comply with censorship

The threat likely came from Thierry Breton, then the European Commission’s internal market commissioner and a staunch supporter of curbs on free speech. Breton has since resigned, and Musk has resigned in response “by public trial” threatened the European Commission and revealed that the EU “secret agreement” recommended to X: if they censor without letting anyone know, they will not be fined. Musk claims other platforms have accepted this deal, but X has not.

The relationship between NATO and freedom of speech

According to Vance, the United States should only support NATO if the alliance respects freedom of speech, which is one of the fundamental pillars of American values.

“America should say that if NATO wants us to continue to support them and remain loyal allies, then they should respect American values ​​and freedom of speech.” Vance said. According to him “madness” would be to support a military alliance that does not share this value.