Former U.S. President Donald Trump made a notable return to “X” on August 12, 2024, for an interview on “Spaces,” “X’s” live audio platform, with the social media platform’s owner, billionaire Elon Musk.
The interview, pivotal for Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, was marred by significant technical difficulties and curious comments, including a comparison between Vice President Kamala Harris and Trump’s wife, Melania.
This marked Trump’s first significant activity on “X” since his account was reinstated in November 2022 after Musk took over the platform. Trump had been banned from the social media giant following the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack. In August 2023, Trump posted his Georgia mugshot with the caption “Never surrender,” a post that reportedly raised millions for his campaign.
The live-streamed interview experienced a 40-minute delay, which Musk attributed to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack. However, some experts questioned this explanation, noting that the platform appeared to function normally during the event. Despite the technical setbacks, the interview drew over 1.3 million listeners at its peak.
During the interview, Trump revisited familiar political themes, including the assassination attempt he faced, although no specific details about the event’s location were provided. He credited his quick reflexes with saving his life and said the incident strengthened his belief in God. Musk praised Trump’s toughness, calling it “critical for national security.”
Trump also delved into his future immigration plans, pledging to initiate the most extensive deportation effort in U.S. history if re-elected. He continued his sharp criticism of Vice President Kamala Harris, labeling her “third-rate” and “incompetent.”
The interview gave Trump another chance to hurl insults and make untrue claims, without any challenge from the interviewer — even when Trump informed Musk, the CEO of an electric vehicle company, of his intention to “drill, baby, drill” during his second term.
The two men exchanged compliments repeatedly, with the Tesla CEO praising Trump for his courage during the assassination attempt, and Trump commending Musk for his decisiveness in firing employees who demanded better working conditions.
“You’re the greatest cutter,” Trump said. “I mean, I look at what you do. You walk in, you just say: ‘You want to quit?’ They go on strike – I won’t mention the name of the company – but they go on strike. And you say: ‘That’s okay, you’re all gone.'”
The interview took a strange turn when Trump commented on Harris’ appearance on a Time magazine cover. Trump called her a “beautiful woman” and compared her to his wife, Melania, saying the cover made her resemble “the most beautiful actress ever to live.” The comment sparked online chatter, with many questioning its relevance in a political discussion.
The interview highlighted the growing political alliance between Trump and Musk, who have shifted from adversaries to allies. Musk publicly endorsed Trump’s campaign and even suggested the formation of a presidential commission on government efficiency, proposing himself as the leader. Trump responded positively, saying, “I would love it.”
Despite the technical issues, Trump’s reappearance on “X” reflected his efforts to broaden his reach ahead of the 2024 election. Musk’s political evolution from a moderate Democrat to a more conservative stance aligned with Trump’s policies was also evident in the conversation. Their mutual praise and lack of critical questioning highlighted their rapport.
While the interview drew significant attention, it raised concerns about the platform’s reliability for political events. Technical issues during the event echoed problems seen during Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign launch on “X “in May 2023, which also faced delays and feed cuts. As the 2024 election campaign intensifies, Trump’s renewed presence on “X” and Musk’s endorsement will be closely watched for its impact on the political landscape.
Following the interview, a representative from Harris’ campaign, Joseph Costello, issued a statement. In it, he criticized Trump’s campaign, saying: “Trump’s entire campaign is in service of people like Elon Musk and himself — self-obsessed rich guys who will sell out the middle class and who cannot run a livestream in the year 2024.”
Many listeners observed that the former president seemed to have a speech impediment resembling a lisp or slurred speech at various points during the interview. This observation was widely discussed on social media platform X. When asked about Trump’s speech, his campaign team did not provide any response.