Trump Administration Pressures Romania to Let Georgescu Run, Elon Musk Calls It ‘Crazy

March 9, 2025, Romania’s Central Electoral Bureau has barred Călin Georgescu, a far-right, pro-Russian candidate, from running in the upcoming May presidential election re-run. This decision has caused major controversy and unrest.

Georgescu had won the first round of Romania’s presidential election in November 2024, but the Constitutional Court annulled it due to alleged Russian interference. He submitted his candidacy again on Friday, March 7, only for the electoral bureau to reject it on Sunday, March 9.

The exact reasons haven’t been fully explained yet, but the bureau said it’ll post a detailed statement on its website later. The ruling can be appealed to Romania’s Constitutional Court within 24 hours.

The decision has sparked chaos in Bucharest. Georgescu’s supporters are protesting outside the electoral bureau, clashing with police, and chanting “Freedom.” Some tried to break through security lines, and reports say fires were set during the unrest.

Georgescu called it a sign of “tyranny” and warned on X that “if democracy in Romania falls, the entire democratic world will fall.”

Big names like Elon Musk, a Trump adviser, commented on X, calling it “This is Crazy,” while the Trump administration has reportedly been pushing Romania to let Georgescu run.

Georgescu’s also facing legal trouble. He’s under criminal investigation for six charges, including ties to a fascist organization, inciting a coup, and lying about campaign funding. Last week, police detained him while he was on his way to register his candidacy, fueling more anger among his supporters. His far-right views, praise for Romania’s WWII fascist leaders, and pro-Russia stance have made him a divisive figure, boosted by his TikTok fame from the earlier election.