Staff Reports
Former President Donald Trump made his grand return to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, in an interview with Elon Musk that can best be described as a hot mess. Initially, the event was plagued by technical glitches, leading to a 42-minute delay, which is quite the achievement for someone who spent his time in the Oval Office dealing with crises much more serious than a malfunctioning app. Despite the hiccups, over 1.3 million people tuned in, eager to hear what the ex-commander-in-chief had to say.
Trump didn’t waste any time diving into a heavy topic—his near-fatal assassination attempt from last month. While he had been coy about discussing the traumatic event previously, he appeared ready to share his thoughts and what he described as a “surreal” experience. His reflections wandered from the emotional to the miraculous, as he credited God for his survival and expressed gratitude to the medical professionals that treated him. If there’s one thing Trump does effectively, it’s turning traumatic instances into compelling narrative arcs, complete with a cliffhanger that leaves people coming back for more.
There appears to be a massive DDOS attack on 𝕏. Working on shutting it down.
Worst case, we will proceed with a smaller number of live listeners and post the conversation later.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 13, 2024
The conversation didn’t lack for controversy, particularly when Trump turned his attention to Vice President Kamala Harris. He repeatedly branded her as the “border czar,” a title that has been notably contested by the administration, as they scramble to polish their image amid an ongoing border crisis. Meanwhile, Harris’s campaign took the opportunity to poke fun at Trump’s technical difficulties, giving him a taste of his own medicine, as he is well-known for ridiculing others’ mishaps. Someone might want to remind Harris and company that two wrongs don’t make a right, but in the world of politics, it sure does make for good entertainment.
Much of the interview revolved around Trump’s views on foreign policy and the growing tension between the U.S. and its adversaries. Trump was quick to point out that he had warned Vladimir Putin against invading Ukraine, showcasing his knack for mixing bravado with history. He praised his relationships with world leaders like Putin, Xi, and Kim Jong Un, proclaiming that his demeanor during his presidency kept them in check. Clearly, he believes that his tough-love approach is sorely missed on the international stage. There’s something to be said for the theatricality of Trump’s storytelling; nobody does building suspense quite like him.
As always, Trump never misses an opportunity to make bold promises for the future. He vowed to bring the Iron Dome missile defense system to American shores, reminiscent of the one used in Israel. While experts point out the impracticality of such an endeavor due to costs and logistics, that sort of detail doesn’t seem to faze the former president. For him, it’s about invoking the image of a dominant America, where we don’t just sit back and wait for trouble—we anticipate it, plan for it, and dare anyone to step out of line.
In what started as a disaster of a tech launch turned into a fascinating two-hour romp through the mind of Donald Trump. Whether it was offering personal anecdotes about brushes with danger or criticisms of opponents, it was clear that he remains a force to be reckoned with. And for those tuning in, the allure of hearing Trump’s take on the world, no matter how outrageous, continues to captivate many Americans. Perhaps it serves as a reminder that politicians, like reality TV stars, know exactly how to draw an audience.
