Vance also compared European leaders to Cold War tyrants during his speech.
U.S. Vice President JD Vance delivered a scathing critique of European leaders at the Munich Security Conference on Friday, accusing them of stifling free speech and fearing their own citizens.
In a speech ostensibly focused on European security, Vance condemned what he described as excessive crackdowns on dissenting views. He criticized the U.K. for arresting a protester near an abortion clinic and Sweden for convicting an anti-Islam activist who burned Korans. He also accused European governments of pressuring social media companies to censor content, citing the Covid-19 lab leak theory as an example.
“It looks more and more like entrenched elites, hiding behind Soviet-era terms like misinformation and disinformation, simply dislike the idea of people expressing different opinions, voting differently, or even winning elections,” Vance said.
He warned that silencing alternative viewpoints is “the most surefire way to destroy democracy” and quipped, “If American democracy can survive 10 years of Greta Thunberg scolding, you guys can survive a few months of Elon Musk.”
Vance also likened today’s European leaders to Cold War-era autocrats, pointing to court decisions canceling elections and officials threatening to do the same. “Within living memory, the Cold War pitted defenders of democracy against much more tyrannical forces,” he said. “Consider the side that censored dissidents, closed churches, and canceled elections. Were they the good guys? Certainly not. And thank God, they lost the Cold War.”
He concluded by questioning whether Europe’s leaders still uphold the values of freedom and democracy, saying, “You can’t force people to think, feel, or believe a certain way. Unfortunately, when I look at Europe today, it’s sometimes unclear what happened to some of the Cold War’s winners.”
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating whether "bad data" contributed to the fatal collision between an Army Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger jet near Washington, D.C., last month, NTSB chair Jennifer Homendy said.
TikTok returned to the U.S. app stores of Apple and Google on Thursday as President Donald Trump delayed a ban on the Chinese-owned social media app and assured the tech giants they would not be fined for distributing or maintaining it.
Mexico has warned of a potential lawsuit against Google over its renaming of the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America" for U.S. users, a decision made in response to President Trump’s executive order.
U.S. President Donald Trump has directed his economic team to develop a plan for reciprocal tariffs on imports from countries that impose duties on U.S. goods, intensifying fears of a global trade war.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a vaccine critic and advocate for tackling chronic disease, has been confirmed as U.S. Health Secretary following a 52-48 Senate vote on Thursday (February 13).
The Cook Islands has signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, Prime Minister Mark Brown’s office confirmed on Saturday. The deal, finalised during Brown’s visit to Beijing, is expected to raise concerns in New Zealand, which has constitutional ties with the island nation.
North Korea has urged the United States to abandon military threats if it is concerned about its mainland security, state media KCNA reported on Saturday. The statement follows U.S. assessments of North Korea’s ICBM capability to reach American territory.
Cyclone Zelia is weakening as it moves south, but not before battering Western Australia’s Pilbara coast with wind gusts of up to 290 kph (180 mph) and heavy rain. Authorities are now assessing the damage, reopening roads and ports, and warning of ongoing flood risks.
The Trump administration’s early approach to ending the Ukraine war has left allies and analysts uncertain, as conflicting statements from top officials raise questions about its negotiation strategy with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukraine has little chance of surviving Russia’s assault without U.S. support. His remarks come after phone calls between U.S. President Donald Trump, Zelensky, and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week.
The iconic Dubai Fountain will close for five months starting in May for a major upgrade, enhancing its technology, choreography, and sound system. Visitors can expect a more spectacular show when it returns in October.
Apple is reportedly working on a version of AirPods Pro with integrated cameras, set to launch as early as 2027, according to Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman. While the cameras won’t be featured in the upcoming AirPods Pro 3, the new tech aims to enhance AI-driven features and spatial audio integration.
Public sector strikes are causing major disruptions across Germany, including halted public transport in Frankfurt, as workers demand higher pay and better conditions.
Elon Musk has called for the shutdown of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) and Voice of America (VOA), arguing that the U.S.-funded media outlets serve as government propaganda tools and waste taxpayer money.
Russian President has invited his U.S. counterpart, along with leaders from many other countries to Moscow in May to attend the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, which Russians refer to as the "Great Patriotic War."
The Cook Islands has signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, Prime Minister Mark Brown’s office confirmed on Saturday. The deal, finalised during Brown’s visit to Beijing, is expected to raise concerns in New Zealand, which has constitutional ties with the island nation.
The Trump administration’s early approach to ending the Ukraine war has left allies and analysts uncertain, as conflicting statements from top officials raise questions about its negotiation strategy with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukraine has little chance of surviving Russia’s assault without U.S. support. His remarks come after phone calls between U.S. President Donald Trump, Zelensky, and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week.
U.S. President Donald Trump has signaled that auto tariffs could take effect on April 2, adding to a series of trade actions since his return to office. The move targets foreign vehicle imports as part of his push to reshape global trade and boost U.S. manufacturing.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called for a tougher approach on Gaza, reiterating his stance as a fragile ceasefire remains in place between Israel and Hamas. His recent proposal for a U.S. takeover of the enclave has drawn widespread international condemnation.
The Cook Islands has signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with China, Prime Minister Mark Brown’s office confirmed on Saturday. The deal, finalised during Brown’s visit to Beijing, is expected to raise concerns in New Zealand, which has constitutional ties with the island nation.
North Korea has urged the United States to abandon military threats if it is concerned about its mainland security, state media KCNA reported on Saturday. The statement follows U.S. assessments of North Korea’s ICBM capability to reach American territory.
Cyclone Zelia is weakening as it moves south, but not before battering Western Australia’s Pilbara coast with wind gusts of up to 290 kph (180 mph) and heavy rain. Authorities are now assessing the damage, reopening roads and ports, and warning of ongoing flood risks.
The Trump administration’s early approach to ending the Ukraine war has left allies and analysts uncertain, as conflicting statements from top officials raise questions about its negotiation strategy with Russia.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Ukraine has little chance of surviving Russia’s assault without U.S. support. His remarks come after phone calls between U.S. President Donald Trump, Zelensky, and Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier this week.
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