Elon Musk Nominated for Nobel Peace Prize for Defending Free Speech

Note: Due to the statute and internal regulations of the Norwegian Nobel Institute, the joint list of all signatories (and the number thereof) for the nomination of the Nobel Peace Prize 2025 is not publicly published. While I am a public signatory, my co-signatories include MEPs, MPs, and university professors.

A Defense of Free Speech: The Core of Democracy and Peace

In our nomination we underscore that freedom of speech is not just a legal right; it is the very foundation of peace and democratic development. As outlined in both the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union, this right guarantees individuals the freedom to express opinions and ideas, seek information, and engage in dialogue without fear of interference. We make it clear that, "Without consistent respect for the fundamental human right of freedom of speech, peace is, in fact, unattainable."

Our proposal highlights how Musk’s actions, particularly his acquisition of X (formerly Twitter), have contributed to the preservation and protection of free speech. We argue that in today’s digital age, the ability to express ideas freely is essential for a peaceful, democratic society. Musk's decision to purchase and re-define X has made it a global platform where diverse opinions can be freely shared and exchanged.

Musk's Historic Stand Against Censorship

We further emphasize that Musk’s initiative to purchase X and eliminate systemic censorship mechanisms is a monumental act of resistance against global censorship trends. Before Musk’s leadership, social media platforms like X faced increasing pressure from governments and corporations to suppress certain opinions, particularly under the guise of protecting against “misinformation.”

In contrast, Musk rejected these pressures, ensuring that the platform remained open to different opinions, regardless of national boundaries. He removed options for political censorship, allowing users to express their views without interference. Alongside my co-signatories, I stress that this bold stance has not only preserved the integrity of free speech but also set a powerful example for other platforms, such as Meta (Facebook and Instagram), which have begun to reevaluate their own censorship policies in response.

A Global Impact: Reshaping the Digital Landscape

The nomination also highlights the broader global impact of Musk’s actions. By prioritizing free expression, Musk has not only safeguarded individual rights but also fostered a more open, democratic digital environment. The ripple effect of his decisions is evident in the growing resistance to censorship across the digital world. We note that, historically, censorship has been used as a tool by authoritarian regimes to manipulate public opinion and suppress dissent. Musk’s leadership stands as a beacon against this trend, ensuring that free speech remains a cornerstone of global democracy.

Musk’s Contribution to Peace and Democracy

Our nomination emphasizes that Musk’s actions in defense of free speech contribute directly to global peace and the preservation of democratic values. By protecting the right to freely exchange ideas, Musk has created a platform that enables constructive dialogue, fosters mutual understanding, and supports democratic development worldwide. We emphasise that, “Freedom of speech is unified and indivisible, as any form of limitation or censorship causes it to cease to exist. When freedom of speech is violated, democracy becomes nothing more than a farce, opening space for deception, manipulation, and incitement; and thus, for conflict and war instead of peace.”

A Call for Recognition: The Nobel Peace Prize

In light of Musk’s extraordinary contributions, our nomination calls for him to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, recognizing his relentless efforts to uphold the fundamental human right to freedom of speech. As the world grapples with the complexities of the digital age, Musk’s leadership serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of preserving free expression in the pursuit of global peace. Our proposal concludes:

"The proposer and the co-signatories jointly propose Mr. Elon Musk, born on June 28, 1971 in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa, for his persistent, outstanding and successful efforts to preserve and consistently respect the fundamental human right of freedom of speech and thereby for world peace and development for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize".

In an age where censorship is increasingly weaponized, I believe that Musk’s nomination for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize underscores the enduring truth that freedom of speech is not just a right but the foundation of peace, democracy, and a just society.

* For those interested in the details, our full proposal for Elon Musk's Nobel Peace Prize nomination can be read below.

“Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right. Freedom of speech is the foundation of peace and democratic development. Without consistent respect for the fundamental human right of freedom of speech, peace is, in fact, unattainable. Freedom of speech is unified and indivisible, as any form of limitation or censorship causes it to cease to exist. When freedom of speech is violated, democracy becomes nothing more than a farce, opening space for deception, manipulation, and incitement; and thus, for conflict and war instead of peace.

The fundamental human right to freedom of speech, or freedom of expression and information, as legally defined, is protected by fundamental legal instruments in the field of human rights protection, among which the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UN) and the Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union are particularly important.

The Universal Declaration of Human Rights states in Article 19: “Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive, and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.”

The Charter of Fundamental Rights of the European Union stipulates in Article 11: “1. Everyone has the right to freedom of expression. This right includes freedom to hold opinions and to receive and impart information and ideas without interference by public authority and regardless of frontiers. 2. Freedom and pluralism of the media are respected.”

Based on the above facts, it is clear that the pursuit of peace is inseparably connected to the pursuit of the fundamental human right of freedom of speech. In the third millennium, there is no doubt that the greatest contribution to the preservation and consistent respect for the fundamental human right of freedom of speech, and thereby to democracy and peace, has been made by Mr. Elon Musk.

Mr. Elon Musk, on his personal initiative and with his own funds, purchased the X network, formerly Twitter, and fully opened it to different opinions and ideas. Most importantly, he removed all systemic options for introducing any form of political censorship from X.

He consistently rejected all pressures to allow public authorities or anyone else to interfere with the freedom of expression of different opinions and the dissemination of ideas and beliefs, regardless of national borders, on this globally significant internet platform. In doing so, he preserved and protected the fundamental human right of freedom of speech in its true, original sense, in its entirety.

The positive impact of these decisions and actions is extraordinary and global. The best proof of this is the fact that other internet platforms, particularly after the election of Mr. Donald Trump as the President of the United States, have clearly followed his example. One such platform is Meta, or the popular Facebook and Instagram. In fact, this marks a historically significant positive achievement for the fundamental human right of freedom of speech. Prior to Mr. Musk's buying of X, and until he made the platform truly free in terms of consistently respecting human rights, specifically in terms of the spread of thoughts and ideas, pressures on freedom of speech were increasing. Under the pretext of “protecting against misinformation” and similar arguments, which were clearly at odds with the fundamental human right of freedom of speech, censorship and double standards were being gradually introduced. History clearly tells us that dictators of all kinds always made such excuses before them implemented censorship. In addition, practically without exception, this led to totalitarianism and war. Therefore, Mr. Elon Musk's actions, in which he resisted pressures from states, international communities, and multinational corporations or their owners to introduce censorship, are of great importance for global development and peace. By maintaining and even strengthening true freedom of various opinions and the acceptance and dissemination of beliefs or ideas without interference from public authorities and regardless of national borders, he has achieved an extraordinary positive outcome for all of humanity. In doing so, he has achieved more in the area of respecting and strengthening the fundamental human right of freedom of speech and peace than anyone else in the current period has.

The proposer and the co-signatories jointly propose Mr. Elon Musk, born on June 28, 1971 in Pretoria, Republic of South Africa, for his persistent, outstanding and successful efforts to preserve and consistently respect the fundamental human right of freedom of speech and thereby for world peace and development for the 2025 Nobel Peace Prize."

Branko Grims

Slovenian Politician | Member of the European Parliament (MEP)