The European Union could fine Elon Musk's X platform for breaking its digital rules by the end of 2025 -- two years into a probe that has tested the bloc's resolve to police the online space.

X was the target of the EU's first ever investigation under a major new online content law in December 2023 but after saying it breached the rules and risked a fine, a year later nothing has materialised.

Weighing on the EU's mind is the picture in the United States -- starkly different today from 2023 -- with Big Tech cultivating close ties with the current White House.

When Donald Trump returned as president with Musk by his side at the start of the year, Brussels faced the sobering prospect that any fine on X would fan tensions with the combative US leader.

Since then, top US officials have mad

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