Donald Trump made a notable return to X with a two-hour chat featuring Elon Musk, despite experiencing technical difficulties that delayed the start of the discussion.
The conversation, which began about 40 minutes late due to what Musk described as a “massive” cyberattack on the platform, was highly anticipated as it marked Trump’s comeback to social media after a lengthy hiatus.
Musk, who now owns X and has endorsed Trump’s bid for re-election, hosted the discussion on X Spaces, a feature for live audio conversations. The session, which drew an audience of approximately 1.2 million listeners, covered a range of topics including Trump’s Democratic rival Kamala Harris, the European Union, China, climate change, and migration.
Throughout the discussion, Trump reiterated claims of being targeted by a political vendetta while Musk expressed his support for Trump’s candidacy, emphasizing the importance of his victory for the country.
The conversation highlighted Trump’s continued campaign efforts as he faces new challenges with Kamala Harris as the Democratic nominee.
Recent polls have shown Harris gaining an edge in key battleground states such as Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Trump’s campaign has struggled with his approval ratings slipping, particularly after controversial remarks about Harris’s identity during a July conference.
Trump’s reappearance on X is notable given his previous suspension from the platform in January 2021 following the Capitol attack.
Despite his account being reinstated in late 2022 under Musk’s ownership, Trump had largely remained inactive on the platform, preferring to use Truth Social for his communications.
Monday’s chat with Musk was also seen as an opportunity for Musk to further engage with political discourse, especially as he has been vocal in his support for Trump and has leveraged X for political influence.
The interview was another significant moment for both Trump and Musk, amid ongoing discussions about their roles in shaping political narratives and media influence in the lead-up to the 2024 presidential election.
