Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump engaged in a two-hour interview with billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk on Monday on Musk's social media platform, X. The event was delayed by over 40 minutes due to technical problems that Musk attributed to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, though this claim could not be independently verified.
Key highlights:
- Technical Glitches Blamed on Cyberattack
- Interview Draws Over 1.3 Million Listeners
- Discussion Covers Assassination Attempt, Immigration, and Government Restructuring
- Trump Praises Musk's Stance on Labour Issues
Technical Glitches and Audience Reach
Trump attempted to turn the delay into a positive, congratulating Musk on the high number of people trying to tune in. According to a counter on X, the interview attracted as many as 1.3 million listeners at its peak, with over 878,000 viewers waiting to join the stream during the initial delay.
Assassination Attempt and Immigration Issues
The interview began with Musk asking about the recent assassination attempt on Trump. Trump recounted, "If I had not turned my head, I would not be talking to you right now — as much as I like you." Musk praised Trump's toughness, saying, "There's some real tough characters out there. And if they don't think the American president is tough, they will do what they want to do."
Trump reiterated his plans for "the largest deportation in U.S. history" if re-elected and discussed cutting government regulations. He asserted that other countries were sending criminals across the U.S. border and falsely claimed that bacon prices had risen dramatically.
For more on the trump assassination attempt, click :Trump Assassination Attempt
Government Restructuring and Education
Trump expressed his desire to restructure the education system, aiming to close the Department of Education and move education back to the states. He welcomed the idea of Musk joining a potential future Trump administration, saying, "You're the greatest cutter. I need an Elon Musk." Considering Musk's infamous cost-cutting spree at X, where he reportedly fired 6,000 employees, primarily from diversity, inclusion, and product development teams, Trump's comment seemed both ironic and fitting.
for more on Elon Musk: click : Elon Musk in Shambles: Laid-Off Employees Still Await Severance Check
Trump's Grievances and Controversial Statements
Trump used the interview as an unfiltered platform to air his grievances, personal attacks, and overstated or false claims. He repeatedly insulted Vice President Kamala Harris, calling her "third rate" and "a radical left lunatic," but also praised her looks, comparing her to his wife Melania.
Musk's Political Involvement
Musk's involvement in politics extends beyond endorsements. He started an external super PAC to support Trump's campaign, which is currently under investigation in Michigan for potential violations of state laws on gathering voter information. Musk's control of X has shifted the platform's norms, with feeds regularly flooded with posts from Trump surrogates and right-wing commentators.
I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery pic.twitter.com/ZdxkF63EqF— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2024
Trump's Return to X
The interview marked Trump's significant return to X. His account, @realDonaldTrump, was restored a month into Musk's ownership of the platform. Before this, Trump had been posting primarily on Truth Social, which has a much smaller audience. Leading up to the interview, Trump made at least eight posts on X.
Harris's Campaign and Criticism
Vice President Kamala Harris, who recently replaced Biden as the Democratic candidate, has gained significant momentum. Her campaign criticised the interview, with spokesperson Joseph Costello describing it as catering to "self-obsessed wealthy individuals like Musk and Trump" who "cannot run a livestream in the year 2024."
International Reactions
Internationally, Thierry Breton, a European Union commissioner, warned Musk about possible "amplification of harmful content" and urged compliance with EU law. In response, Trump campaign spokesman Steven Cheung urged the EU to "mind their own business."
Conclusion
The Musk-Trump interview, despite its technical issues, showcased the evolving political landscape on social media and highlighted the significant reach and influence both figures hold. As the presidential race heats up, such platforms will continue to play a crucial role in shaping public discourse and political narratives. The event demonstrated the significant reach of both Trump and Musk on the platform, with Trump's 88 million followers on X far exceeding his 7.5 million followers on Truth Social, while Musk's account boasts over 193 million followers.
For full interview, click X
Inputs by Agencies
Image Source: Multiple Agencies
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