US Republican presidential candidate Trump conducted a 2-hour live interview with Tesla CEO Musk on the evening of the 12th local time on social media x (formerly Twitter).
During 2 hours, the two talked about Trump's previous assassination and discussed issues such as the US election, border security, government spending and national debt, inflation and energy.
The talk that day was originally scheduled to start at 8:00 EST, but was delayed by more than 40 minutes due to technical glitches. Musk said that the platform was suspected of suffering a large-scale DDoS attack, causing the system to be overwhelmed.
Musk "self-recommended"
At the beginning of the conversation, Musk asked Trump to describe the assassination he had just experienced.
"If I hadn't turned my head, I wouldn't be able to talk to you here now, even though I appreciate you." Trump said. At that time, he turned his head to look at the illegal immigration form on the big screen, but he didn't expect it. Within seconds the bullet had grazed his ear.
Musk said it was clear from Trump's response to the shooting that he is a strong man, which is crucial for the United States. "You can't copy courage."
Both men believe that a large number of illegal Immigration affects social security in the United States and believes that the Biden administration has failed to ensure U.S. border security. Trump said that if elected, he would carry out the largest deportation of illegal immigrants in the history of the United States.
Trump also criticized Democratic presidential candidate Harris for being "erratic" in her stance on border issues, believing that she has been opening the border, and now he said that he (Harris) is "very tough" on border issues. Trump said Harris could announce the border closure now, but after waiting three and a half years, the Democratic administration has done nothing.
In the conversation that day, Musk was mostly the questioner, but most of the time he also expressed his opinions on the questions raised.
In addition, the two also discussed how to improve government efficiency. When discussing the government budget, Musk said a committee should be formed to cut government spending. Musk said he hoped to "recommend himself" and join the committee to help the government study how to improve efficiency, which Trump welcomed.
Trump also mentioned concerns about artificial intelligence near the end of the conversation, arguing that the technology "will consume a lot of electricity," "almost twice as much as we produce now for the entire country."
Harris Team: "Narcissistic Rich Man"
Before the dialogue with Musk on the 12th, Trump first posted videos and tweets on social media x, leading to speculation that he would "return" . In one video, Trump emphasized that he won the presidential election in 2016, and then fast-forwarded to 2024 when he announced his re-election and was subject to four criminal indictments.
In addition to posting the video, Trump also tweeted asking the public, compared with when he was elected president, "Is it better now?"
Trump said in the tweet that the United States is facing an economic crisis Collapse, serious border issues, and a “nation in decline.”
He also criticized Harris's policies as radical and dangerous, saying that "the American people cannot bear the Democratic government for another four years."
After the Capitol Hill incident on January 6, 2021, Trump was permanently banned by Twitter at the time. Musk restored Trump's account after acquiring Twitter in October 2022, but Trump has not used the platform. Until August 2023, Trump shared a mugshot of himself taken in a prison in Atlanta, Georgia on his x account. However, in subsequent campaigns, Trump has been using his social media "truth social" to make statements and campaign.
According to x’s tracking records, more than one million listeners listened to the conversation between Trump and Musk that day. Currently, Trump has 7.5 million fans on "Truth Social" and 88 million fans on his x account.
In response to Trump’s conversation with Musk on the evening of the 12th, Harris’ campaign team called them “narcissistic rich people.”
"Trump's entire campaign is in service of Musk and people like him." Harris campaign spokesman Joseph Costello said in a statement, "These narcissistic wealthy People can betray the middle class, but they can’t even do a live broadcast.”
