Elon Musk has surprise meeting with President Macron in New Orleans

Elon Musk had a surprise meeting with French President Macron in New Orleans yesterday - where they discussed the billionaire's commitment to content moderation on Twitter.

Macron said the pair had a 'clear and sincere discussion' about how Twitter must make the effort 'to comply with European regulations' surrounding freedom of expression.

Following the meeting, Musk said: 'It was an honor to see you again. Looking forward to exciting plans in France!'

The politician also told his followers that the new tech CEO committed to the Christchurch Call - a political initiative to stop people using social media to organize and promote terrorism and extreme violence.

Macron added: 'Elon Musk has confirmed Twitter's participation in the Christchurch Call. There is no place for terrorist and violent extremist content anywhere.' 

Macron (left) and Musk had a surprise meeting with one another in New Orleans 

Macron announced the meeting Monday, sharing a photo of himself and the new Twitter boss in a one-on-one conversation. 

'In accordance with our ambition to decarbonize and reindustrialize France and Europe, I discussed today with @elonmusk on future green industrial projects, in particular on the manufacture of electric vehicles and batteries.' 

The politician added that the pair had 'had a clear and sincere discussion,' after Macron had been in town to sign a memorandum with Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards to promote and carry out cooperative activities related to climate change.

Later in the day, the French president was seen fraternizing with New Orleans LaToya Cantrell, which saw them parade through the city's historic French Quarter - where thousands gathered to catch a glimpse of the world leader.

Later in the day, the French president, along with wife Brigitte (at left) was seen fraternizing with New Orleans LaToya Cantrell (at right). The group would parade through the city's historic French Quarter - where thousands gathered to catch a glimpse of the influential figures

In a follow-up statement, Macron revealed that his meeting with Musk saw the pair discuss content moderation on Twitter, after the loose-lipped libertarian relaxed guidelines on the social media site upon purchasing it for $44billon in late October

In a follow-up statement, Macron revealed that his meeting with Musk saw the pair discuss content moderation on Twitter, after the loose-lipped libertarian relaxed guidelines on the social media site upon purchasing it for $44billon in late October. 

'Transparent terms of use, significant reinforcement of content moderation and protection of freedom of expression: Twitter must make the effort to comply with European regulations,' Macron, 44, wrote in French.

The assertion of cooperation comes amid skepticism that Musk's well-known love for free speech may clash with EU laws that limit the spread of illegal or harmful content online. 

One such law, signed into law in October, implemented a host of comprehensive content moderation rules for a wide range of businesses across the economic coalition's 27 countries.