.jpeg)
Tech giant Elon Musk opened up his X platform to Donald Trump on Monday night, allowing him a space free from fact-checks to spread falsehoods, conspiracy theories, and extremist views as he attempts to counter Democratic nominee Kamala Harris. This development adds to the unpredictable nature of the presidential campaign, which has recently seen shocking events such as an assassination attempt on Trump and President Joe Biden's decision to end his reelection campaign.
The former president has been floundering, struggling to keep up with the strong start of the new Democratic nominee. During their lengthy conversation, Musk appeared to use his influence and platform to advise Trump on how to improve his arguments against Harris.
Politics Watch Live TV
Musk Aids Trump in Countering Harris Surge
Analysis by Stephen Collinson, CNN
7-minute read
Updated 12:31 AM EDT, Tue August 13, 2024
Trump Attacks Harris in X Interview with Musk
01:16 - Source: CNG
Bolton: Putin Sees Trump as an Easy Mark
03:03
John King Breaks Down Race Changes Since Biden's Exit
03:14
‘Stop’: McCarthy Criticizes Trump’s Focus on Harris' Crowd Sizes
02:18
Pennsylvania Republican Discusses Harris' Winning Potential in the State
05:06
Voters Explain Shift from Biden to Harris
01:39
Former Governor on Walz’s Progressivism
01:35
Fareed: Harris' Campaign Light on Substance, High on Emotion
05:36
JD Vance Discusses Harris' Racial Identity
00:32
Buttigieg Responds to Vance’s Comments on Walz's Military Service
02:36
Where Trump and Harris Stand in Key States: New Polling
05:02
Trump Campaign Reports Hacking Incident
01:09
Maggie Haberman on Trump's Reaction to Helicopter Story
02:22
Jesse Ventura Calls Vance’s Criticism of Walz’s Military Record ‘Despicable’
02:26
Scaramucci Reacts to Trump’s Remarks at Mar-a-Lago
01:34
Pelosi’s Message to Biden
02:42
New Details Emerge Amid Walz’s Military Record Attacks
03:54
Democrat Expresses Concerns About Walz’s Response to Protests
03:05
Harris Reacts to Hecklers Interrupting Her Speech
00:43
Kaitlan Collins Fact-Checks Trump’s Claims on Floyd Protests
02:28
CNN —
The world's wealthiest individual and a potential future president found common ground on many issues. On Monday night, Elon Musk offered Donald Trump an unfiltered platform on X, free from fact-checks, as Trump seeks to counter Democratic nominee Kamala Harris's momentum.
The discussion marked another dramatic turn in a presidential race that has recently seen an assassination attempt on Trump and President Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the reelection race.
During their conversation, Musk appeared to use his platform to mentor Trump on how to better challenge Harris. Trump, struggling with Harris’s rise in the polls, accused her of being a radical leftist and claimed that Biden's exit was a “coup” orchestrated to elevate Harris.
Musk supported Trump’s views, describing Harris as a radical leftist and suggesting that Trump, unlike his opponents, was respected and feared globally. Musk, who has endorsed Trump, expressed a desire to see him win a second term, emphasizing that Trump represents prosperity, in contrast to Harris.
Musk’s endorsement provided Trump with a substantial audience, potentially reaching 100 million people. The conversation, lasting over two hours, was also beneficial for Musk, who used the opportunity to discuss policies on immigration, the economy, and government regulation, aligning with his business interests.
The exchange highlighted the evolving nature of presidential politics in the social media age. Musk's platform, X, has dismantled many traditional media safeguards, creating a space where Trump can amplify his views and misinformation without constraints.
Amidst complaints from Republicans about Harris’s media coverage, Trump’s appearance on X illustrates how social media continues to reshape political landscapes. European Commissioner Thierry Breton has warned Musk about preventing the spread of harmful content, while Trump’s team criticized the EU’s involvement in U.S. politics, underscoring growing tensions between Trump, Musk, and Europe.