Musk Skips Paris Interview in Probe of X and Grok
Musk did not attend a voluntary Paris interview tied to a probe into X and Grok's alleged sexual deepfakes and child abuse images, and U.S. authorities reportedly declined to assist.
The Gateway PunditElon Musk Is a No-Show for Questioning in French Court Hearing Into X Social Media Platform and Grok Chatbot | The Gateway Pundit | by Paul Serran
The GuardianElon Musk snubs Paris legal summons over alleged child abuse images on X
BBC NewsMusk snubs interview summons by French prosecutors amid X probe
CNBCFrench prosecutors await Musk in X probe, unclear if he will comply
Overview
Elon Musk did not attend a voluntary interview in Paris that prosecutors had set for 20 April, the Paris prosecutor's office said.
The probe was opened in January 2025 and was widened after February raids to examine X's algorithm, the AI chatbot Grok's sexualized deepfakes and alleged interference in French politics, prosecutors said.
A U.S. newspaper reported the U.S. Department of Justice told French authorities it would not assist in the probe, and Musk posted "indeed, this needs to stop" on X in response to reports.
The Center for Countering Digital Hate said Grok generated an estimated 3 million sexualized images in 11 days, including about 23,000 that appeared to depict children, and prosecutors are investigating suspected complicity in child sexual abuse material and sexual deepfakes.
Prosecutors said the presence or absence of those summoned would not block the investigation, that other X staff were due to be heard between 20 April and 24 April, and that they could decide on custody if summonses are ignored.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the coverage as a legal-pressure narrative, emphasizing prosecutors' allegations and past platform scandals while offering minimal defense from Musk/X. Editorial choices use evaluative language (e.g., 'sparked global outrage,' 'pumped out a torrent'), prioritize official investigations and DOJ correspondence, and situate the story within wider tech-platform legal scrutiny.