Trump’s plan to circumvent European internet content bans is a geopolitical nightmare

Fast Company Tech

by Chris Stokel-Walker

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The Trump administration has launched *Freedom.gov*, a controversial initiative aimed at helping Europeans bypass European Union content restrictions on hate speech and terrorist propaganda. The project, overseen by Sarah Rogers of the State Department’s public diplomacy division, is reportedly designed to include a built-in VPN function that would route internet traffic through U.S. servers, effectively circumventing EU regulations. This move reflects Trump-era concerns about what Vice President JD Vance previously described as Europe’s “Soviet-era” approach to speech restrictions, which administration officials claim pose a greater threat to democracy than Russia or China. The initiative has sparked tensions with European authorities, who are increasingly cracking down on American tech platforms like X and its AI chatbot Grok. These enforcement actions have angered Trump administration officials, who view them as attempts to suppress free speech and criminalize U.S. companies. Proponents of *Freedom.gov* argue it is akin to the Cold War-era *Radio Free Europe*, a tool for promoting digital freedom and circumventing censorship. However, critics, including Anupam Chander of Georgetown Law, warn that democratic nations are likely to view this as improper interference in their domestic laws. Europe’s response could involve blocking access to *Freedom.gov* under regulations like the Digital Services Act, which empowers authorities to prohibit platforms evading EU rules. Paul Bernal, a professor at the University of East Anglia, predicts a potential “cat-and-mouse” dynamic, with the U.S. continually relaunching the site in new forms while Europe works to block it. This escalating conflict highlights deeper geopolitical tensions, particularly over the influence of American tech companies on European politics. From a design and technology perspective, *Freedom.gov* raises questions about internet governance, censorship circumvention tools, and the global balance of power in tech regulation. While administration officials frame the project as a defender of digital freedom, critics argue it reflects Trump’s broader anti-free-speech agenda, including efforts to consolidate control over platforms like TikTok and CBS. Ultimately, this dispute is less about abstract principles of free speech than about competing geopolitical interests and the struggle to shape the future of internet regulation.

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Originally published on Fast Company Tech on 2/24/2026