Trump, Musk talk politics during X interview

The highly promoted interview between tech giant Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump started late Monday night due to a cyber attack, according to Musk. More than 878,000 listeners were in the queue waiting 40 minutes before the event’s scheduled start time. Trump and Musk discussed immigration issues, sustainable energy, the upcoming election, and the assassination attempt against the former president last month. Trump also suggested the United States install the same Iron Dome missile defense system developed by Israel. He also suggested closing the U.S. Department of Education, leaving states to individually bear the burden of educating children.

Musk described Trump’s return to the Oval Office as essential, with both agreeing a Harris Administration would spell trouble for the country. Vice President Kamala Harris picked a far-left, anti-Israel running mate in Tim Walz, Trump added. European Union leaders sent a letter warning not to spread disinformation during the interview which shows how censorship is being forced on Americans, Musk said.

Public reactions? Users became agitated at the 40-minute delay in the interview’s stream. Many likened the event to Musk’s glitch-plagued interview on X with Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2023 when DeSantis launched his failed run for the White House. Trump’s speech has been hotly debated online, with some alleging the former president slurred his words throughout the interview and questioning his mental acuity. Other users said they heard a slight lisp.

The Harris campaign slammed the interview and accused Trump of only representing a demographic she characterized as self-obsessed rich guys looking to sell out the middle class. Donald Trump’s extremism and dangerous agenda were on full display for those unlucky enough to listen in on whatever that conversation was, the campaign statement added.

Dig deeper: Read Josh Schumacher’s report on Iran denying accusations of hacking the Trump campaign days before the interview.