Elon Musk and Donald Trump Face Technical Glitches in High-Profile X Interview

In a highly anticipated but technically troubled interview on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, former President Donald Trump engaged in a lengthy conversation with the platform’s owner, Elon Musk. The interview, which took place on Monday night, was marked by a series of technical difficulties that hampered its execution.

During the more than two-hour exchange, Trump recounted a vivid account of his assassination attempt, adding a dramatic touch to his return to the social media spotlight. He also promised the largest deportation in U.S. history, showcasing his bold policy proposals. However, despite the high-profile nature of the conversation, Trump revealed little new information about his plans for a potential second term.

The interview was intended to help Trump connect directly with millions of voters and offer X a chance to reclaim some of its political relevance. The platform, which had previously banned Trump for spreading disinformation related to the January 6 Capitol attack, is now under Musk’s leadership. Although disinformation has continued to be a concern on X, it was not a focal point during the interview, aside from a brief mention by Trump of a “rigged election.”

Technical issues plagued the event from the start. With over 878,000 users attempting to join, the interview was delayed by more than 40 minutes, leaving many viewers frustrated with messages indicating “Details not available.” This hiccup was reminiscent of a similar incident in May 2023 when Musk hosted Florida Governor Ron DeSantis for the official announcement of his presidential bid. That event also suffered from technical problems, drawing criticism and mockery from Trump, who at the time had ridiculed DeSantis’ campaign launch as a “DISASTER.”

Vice President Kamala Harris’s campaign took the opportunity to critique both Trump and Musk following the interview. In a statement, Harris’s campaign lambasted Trump’s campaign as being driven by “self-obsessed rich guys” who are out of touch with the needs of the middle class and incapable of managing a modern livestream.

As the interview concluded, it became clear that while the conversation may have aimed to bolster Trump’s political profile and provide a boost for X, the technical glitches overshadowed much of the intended impact. The event highlighted ongoing challenges for X and served as a reminder of the high stakes involved in political discourse on social media platforms.