SAN FRANCISCO: Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), has announced plans to conduct a live interview with former US President Donald Trump. To prepare for the anticipated surge in viewership, Musk stated that he will conduct system scaling tests on the platform to ensure it can handle the increased traffic.
In a post on X, Musk said, “I am going to do some system scaling tests tonight [and] tomorrow in advance of the conversation with @realDonaldTrump.” These tests are designed to enhance the platform’s performance and capacity, crucial for managing the expected influx of viewers during the live interview.
Trump’s relationship with X has been tumultuous. After being suspended in 2021 for violating platform policies related to the January 6 Capitol riots, Trump launched his own platform, Truth Social. Despite seeking legal measures to restore his X account, it was reinstated following Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in 2022. Trump has primarily continued to use Truth Social for his communications, with his latest X post featuring a mugshot from his Georgia arrest.
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The upcoming interview is a significant event for both Trump and Musk. Trump aims to leverage X’s extensive user base to bolster his campaign amidst intense competition, particularly from Kamala Harris. Musk, a supporter of Trump, is using the platform to influence political discourse.
The high-profile interview has attracted attention from the European Union (EU). Thierry Breton, the EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, sent a letter to Musk reminding him of the EU’s Digital Services Act, which requires platforms to manage harmful content, including misinformation and hate speech. Musk responded with a dismissive meme, mocking Breton’s concerns.
X’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, criticised the EU’s intervention as an unwarranted intrusion into US political affairs. The Trump campaign echoed this sentiment, accusing the EU of attempting to disrupt Trump’s campaign and infringe on free speech.
