Bretxit: Notorious EU Anti-Free Speech Figure Thierry Breton Resigns in a Huff

We have previously discussed Thierry Breton, the European Union commissioner who has been an unabashed leader of the anti-free speech movement in Europe.  Breton has threatened Elon Musk and others over the lack of censorship, including allowing candidates like former president Donald Trump to speak freely on his platform. For free speech advocates, Breton’s sudden and unexpected demise was reminiscent of the scene in the Wizard of Oz. Despite pledging to get Musk and his little platform too, Breton seemed to melt away faster than Margaret Hamilton after being hit with a bucket of water.

Call it Bretxit. The resignation of Breton came after reported tensions in the European Union and specifically with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

Breton lashed out at von der Leyen and all of the EU munchkins. “You asked France to withdraw my name – for personal reasons that in no instance you have discussed directly with me – and offered, as a political trade-off, an allegedly more influential portfolio for France in the future College.”

According to Deadline, his unilateral action against Musk may have been the final straw for Breton who fulfilled the worst image of an imperial, arrogant EU bureaucrat.

The departure of such an vehemently anti-free speech figure is obviously welcomed by many in the free speech community. However, we should not have any delusions. The EU remains committed to an anti-free speech agenda and using the Digital Services Act to force greater censorship around the world.

Ursula von der Leyen is no free speech advocate. Many of our own anti-free speech figures have found a willing partner in the EU.

Notably, after Musk purchased Twitter, Hillary Clinton called upon European officials to force him to censor American citizens under the infamous Digital Services Act (DSA). Recently, Democratic leaders like Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison praised Brazil for its action to prevent citizens from having access to unfettered news sources.

Bretxit will not end or even slow this movement. Breton’s public chest pounding was an embarrassment for the EU, but not because they disagreed with his censorship agenda. They simply disagreed with his drawing so much attention to their censorship efforts.

As for Musk’s defiance, Breton seemed surprised by his melting away and could almost be heard to say “You cursed brat! Look what you’ve done! I’m melting! Melting! Oh, what a world, what a world! Who would have thought a good little [CEO] like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness!”

Jonathan Turley is the Shapiro Professor of Public Interest Law at George Washington University. He is the author of “The Indispensable Right: Free Speech in an Age of Rage” (Simon & Schuster).