In a highly anticipated interview that drew millions of listeners, former President Donald Trump and tech mogul Elon Musk sat down for a candid discussion that quickly became a trending topic across social media. Hosted on Musk’s platform, X (formerly Twitter), the event experienced significant technical issues, delaying the start by 40 minutes. Musk attributed the delay to a “massive” Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attack, although this claim remains unconfirmed.
Despite the glitches, the interview garnered over a million listeners, with Trump kicking off the conversation by congratulating Musk on “breaking every record in the book.” The interview, however, was not without its controversies, as Trump’s remarks on climate change and immigration sparked debates.
Trump’s Climate Change Comments: More Controversy Than Substance
One of the most discussed moments came when Trump mocked concerns about climate change, suggesting that rising ocean levels would lead to “more oceanfront property.” This remark was particularly striking given Musk’s well-known stance on environmental issues. Musk, who previously left Trump’s presidential advisory councils in protest of the U.S. withdrawal from the Paris climate accords, chose not to challenge Trump’s climate change denial during the interview. This silence has led to speculation about Musk’s current position on environmental matters, especially since he has previously stated that “Tesla exists to help reduce the risk of catastrophic climate change.”
Immigration and Assassination: Trump’s Claims Take Center Stage
The conversation also took a dramatic turn when Musk asked Trump about a recent assassination attempt at his Pennsylvania rally. Trump recounted the harrowing experience, claiming that his stance on immigration may have made him a target. In a lighter moment, Trump joked that “illegal immigration saved my life,” referring to a chart he was discussing when shots were fired.
Trump’s Vision for Education: A Department on the Chopping Block
During the interview, Trump reiterated his desire to shut down the Department of Education, arguing that education should be managed at the state level. Musk, who expressed interest in joining a potential Trump administration to help cut government waste, was praised by Trump as “the greatest cutter.”
Technical Issues and Cybersecurity Concerns
The interview’s rocky start due to technical issues led to widespread speculation about the cause. While Musk suggested a DDoS attack was responsible, this has not been verified. The event’s glitches were reminiscent of a similar situation in May 2023 when Florida Governor Ron DeSantis faced issues during his presidential campaign announcement on the same platform.
EU Reacts: Concerns Over Harmful Content
The conversation between Trump and Musk also caught the attention of European regulators. Thierry Breton, the European Union’s commissioner for the internal market, raised concerns about the potential amplification of harmful content following the interview. In response, Trump’s campaign spokesman criticized the EU’s involvement, defending the interview as a matter of free speech.