In an era where tech billionaires shape global politics, Elon Musk has found an unlikely ally in the European Parliament: 24-year-old Cypriot MEP Fidias Panayiotou. The former YouTube influencer and Musk superfan has quickly risen from obscurity to become a polarizing figure, echoing Musk’s controversial views on issues ranging from Ukraine to EU digital policy.
From Fanboy to Political Firebrand
Panayiotou’s bizarre journey into politics began in January 2023 when he camped outside Twitter’s San Francisco headquarters, waiting for a chance to hug Musk. The meeting culminated in an emotional embrace, which Panayiotou later described as life-changing. Fast forward to 2024, and Panayiotou has transformed that fleeting moment into a budding alliance with one of the world’s richest men.
After being elected to the European Parliament in June 2024, Panayiotou quickly became a mouthpiece for Musk’s agenda, regularly sharing the billionaire’s positions on topics like misinformation, EU bureaucracy, and free speech. Musk, in turn, has amplified Panayiotou’s reach by sharing his videos with his 211 million followers on X (formerly Twitter).
The Musk-Panayiotou Connection
Musk has long voiced skepticism over Western support for Ukraine and criticism of EU digital policies, and Panayiotou has echoed those sentiments in the EU Parliament. In December 2024, Musk reposted a video of Panayiotou arguing against military aid to Ukraine, describing it as “crazy and inhumane.” The clip gained significant traction, bolstered by Musk’s endorsement.
Panayiotou also defended Musk’s controversial handling of content moderation on X, calling the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA) a tool for censorship. “Sometimes here in Europe, we censor voices we don’t like by labeling them disinformation,” Panayiotou declared during a parliamentary debate, parroting Musk’s critiques of the legislation. Musk responded by calling him “awesome” and championing his remarks as coming “from a member of the EU Parliament!”
A Disruptor in Brussels
Panayiotou has taken inspiration from Musk’s leadership style, even proposing to slash EU staff by 80 percent—a nod to Musk’s drastic workforce cuts at X. “When you have so many workers regulating, you end up with bureaucracy that stifles innovation,” Panayiotou argued, repeating a point often pushed by Big Tech lobbyists.
The young MEP has also targeted EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, questioning the democratic legitimacy of her appointment in a video shared by Musk. “Fidias has a good point,” Musk commented, further cementing their public alignment.
Controversy and Criticism
While Panayiotou’s antics have made him a rising star in the Brussels bubble, they’ve also drawn significant backlash. EU Vice President Nicolae Ștefănuță slammed one of his videos as “misleading,” and critics have accused Panayiotou of promoting a populist, anti-regulation agenda under the guise of innovation.
Despite the criticism, Panayiotou’s unconventional approach has resonated with some, earning him 170,000 followers on X and 2.7 million YouTube subscribers. His growing influence has even led Musk to jokingly declare on X, “Fidias for EU President!!”
A New Era of Influence
The relationship between Musk and Panayiotou illustrates the growing intersection of tech, politics, and social media. As Musk wades deeper into European politics, using Panayiotou as his proxy, questions are mounting about the implications of such influence.
For better or worse, Fidias Panayiotou has become a symbol of the disruptive power wielded by tech billionaires in shaping political narratives—and his story is only just beginning.