French authorities elevate Musk and X investigation to criminal inquiry

Published May 7, 2026 9:00pm ET | Updated May 7, 2026 9:01pm ET



France is ramping up its investigation into X owner Elon Musk and his social media platform by announcing a slew of criminal charges pertaining to multiple scandals.

In a press release on Thursday, the Paris Public Prosecutor’s Office said an introductory indictment was filed on nine charges the day before. The first charge is for “complicity in the possession of images of a minor of a pedo-pornographic nature, as well as the dissemination, offering, or making available — by an organized group — of images of a minor of a pornographic nature,” according to the office.

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