UNZ: 26-12-2025,
Credit Image: © Vuk Valcic/ZUMA Press Wire
The United States has been sparring publicly with its “European partners” more now than at any time since the end of the Second World War. There are sharp differences over trade, the war in Ukraine, and defense spending, but these pale in comparison to questions of free speech, immigration, and race.
The United States recently shocked European elites and their allies in the press by banning travel to the US by five officials who claim to fight online “hate.” The State Department says they censor Americans. Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, co-CEO of HateAid, praised censorship on 60 Minutes: “Free speech needs boundaries and in the case of Germany these boundaries are part of our constitution.” Josephine Ballon, her co-CEO, also cannot travel to the US.
Clare Melford runs the Global Disinformation Index, which the New York Times says “provides risk ratings to advertising firms to help them avoid advertising on websites seen as spreading disinformation and harmful content” — so “seen” by her and her group, of course. Imran Ahmed’s Center for Countering Digital Hate reportedly boasted that its plans include “killing Musk’s Twitter.” Thierry Breton, a former European commissioner, frequently clashed with Elon Musk, who now celebrates his visa ban. Mr. Musk, now that he has reconciled with President Trump, may have pushed for the bans.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio explained the bans:
“The State Department is taking decisive action against five individuals who have led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor,