The European Commission recently imposed a fine of $140 million on X and its owner, Elon Musk, for not adequately controlling what it deemed "harmful" content. Musk criticized the fine as an infringement on free speech, asserting that freedom of speech is fundamental to society. He suggested that the European Union (EU) should be dissolved to allow individual nations to better represent their citizens.

However, the issue extends beyond the EU's governance. Many countries, including those in the English-speaking world, have established speech codes that can lead to prosecution for statements considered "harmful." These codes often target speech related to Islam and racial or ethnic minorities, as well as criticism of government policies and social issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) and climate change.

The case of Geert Wilders, a Dutch politician, exemplifies the complexities surrounding free speech in Europe. Wilders faced multiple hate speech charges for his comments on Islam, which included characterizations of the religion as "fascist" and comparisons of the Koran to Mein Kampf. His trials raised questions about judicial impartiality and the role of context in legal judgments regarding speech.

In the U.S., concerns have been raised about the potential for similar speech restrictions. Under the administrations of Barack Obama and Joe Biden, there have been instances where certain speech was penalized, sometimes in ways that critics argue circumvent constitutional protections. For example, a filmmaker was jailed for probation violations related to a controversial film about the Muslim prophet Muhammad, and there have been allegations of censorship against critics of left-leaning policies.

The implications of these developments suggest a growing trend toward regulating speech that could undermine democratic principles and the protection of individual rights, raising alarms about the future of free expression in both Europe and the United States.