On Monday morning, Donald Trump made a noteworthy return to the social media platform known as X, marking his first post there since the preceding August. This activity is timed with an anticipated interview between Trump and X’s owner, Elon Musk, set for Monday evening.
Trump’s re-engagement with the platform was highlighted by a two-minute and thirty-second video summarizing his 2016 electoral victory, key moments from his first term, and his aspirations for the 2024 elections.
This recent post signifies Trump’s reactivation on the platform since being suspended on January 6, 2021, under its then-management. November 2022 saw Musk reinstating Trump’s account subsequent to acquiring the platform. Trump had previously shared his mugshot on August 24, 2023, marking his initial return to the platform.
Following his suspension from Twitter, Trump initiated Truth Social, a social media venture where he has been consistently active since its launch in February 2022.
Trump heralded his upcoming conversation with Musk last week with a post stating, “ON MONDAY NIGHT I’LL BE DOING A MAJOR INTERVIEW WITH ELON MUSK — Details to follow!” This interview is scheduled to stream live on X at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Elon Musk took to X on Sunday to share more about the interview, describing it as an unscripted session with no restrictions on topics, promising an engaging experience. Musk encouraged viewers to submit their questions and comments for the discussion.
Over the years, Trump and Musk have had a complex rapport. Musk endorsed Trump “fully” after an attempt on his life last month, with Trump noting their “very good relationship.” Previously, Musk had supported Democrats against Trump but has recently shown approval for Trump’s policies on immigration and the economy amid growing critique of the Democratic Party.
In the meantime, Trump and his vice-presidential pick, Sen. JD Vance (R-OH), have been proactive in media appearances. Conversely, Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, have faced criticism for a perceived evasion of media engagement. Trump conducted an hour-long press briefing at Mar-a-Lago last Thursday, whereas Harris has not been as forthcoming with the press, having not held a formal press conference since her nomination as the Democratic candidate.
