On March 6, 2025, Claude Malhuret, the Senator from Allier, delivered a provocative speech at the Senate, which garnered significant international focus, especially among Anglo-Saxon audiences. Malhuret directed sharp critiques not only at international tech mogul Elon Musk but also at prominent political figures, labeling Musk as "a clown on ketamine," expressing his disapproval of Musk's influence and decisions. This bold statement quickly went viral, attracting the attention of millions across France, Europe, and the United States, with his remarks even making their way to outlets such as CNN.
Despite the global response, some interesting twists followed the speech. Shortly after its delivery, it was noted by sharp-eyed users on X, the platform previously known as Twitter, where Malhuret surprisingly had no tweets listed on his account. A French user publicly questioned on the platform: "Currently, all the tweets of Claude Malhuret are no longer visible! Is this the case for everyone? Censorship by the owner of X, who can't handle Free Speech the French way?" This tweet garnered significant traction, racking up 57,000 views by the morning of March 8, 2025.
Benjamin Griveaux, the former government spokesperson, was swift to react to the situation, raising alarms about Malhuret's tweet visibility. Using emojis to amplify his shared sentiments, he tweeted, "All tweets from the excellent Claude Malhuret have been inaccessible on X since last night! Those who claim they love free speech are censoring the voices of those who do not bend to their will!" His sentiments echoed through the political sphere, being shared by notable figures like Charles Rodwell, the current deputy of Renaissance des Yvelines.
On the opposing side of the political spectrum, Aurélien Saintoul, from the LFI party, weighed in, stating confidently, "X just deleted all of Claude Malhuret's tweets after his speech against Trump and Musk, that's blatant manipulation." He seized the moment to appeal to his fellow parliament members to sign his request for an inquiry on France's dependency on tech giants.
Meanwhile, many began to suspect foul play, but Baptiste Robert, a security expert, quickly clarified the situation, showcasing through Social Blade, a tool used for social media analytics, the inactivity of Malhuret's account, which had never actually tweeted since it was created. Malhuret's office, when approached by the media, playfully pointed out the truth, stating, "Claude Malhuret has never tweeted, so don’t search for his tweets. He’s had the account since 2013 but has never used it."d
Following this debunking of the rumor, even Benjamin Griveaux acknowledged his misstep on the issues, openly admitting, "I certainly made an error,” as he cleared up the misconception with another tweet. He sought to communicate to his followers and the public the importance of verifying facts before jumping to conclusions.
The incident raises questions about the dynamics of political discourse on social media and how quickly misinformation can spread, often leading to public outcry based on inaccurate assumptions. It also highlights how influential figureheads like Malhuret can spark conversations, not only around the individuals they criticize but also about the platforms on which they engage.
With the debate over the influence of major technology companies on political expression gaining momentum, this saga reveals both the power and pitfalls of social media engagement. Malhuret's speech and the ensuing controversy reflect larger themes within contemporary discourse: the struggle for free expression, the relationship between technology and politics, and the sometimes viral nature of information dissemination.
Indeed, the case underlines the necessity for careful consumption of information, the challenges activists face when confronting powerful figures, and the nature of social media’s role in shaping today’s narratives. Whether this incident serves as merely the first salvo against Musk and others, or as the beginning of more sustained scrutiny of political interactions on digital platforms, it certainly confirms the volatile nature of such engagements.
What remains to be seen is how Malhuret’s vocal critique will resonate down the line, whether it will lead to more challenges against powerful figures like Musk, and how the echo chamber of social media will amplify these conversations moving forward.