Elon Musk Tests X: Tech Sector to Political Power

Elon Musk is preparing for a high-profile event with former President Donald Trump, aiming to ensure a seamless experience. To this end, Musk has utilized the social media platform X—created under his leadership—to conduct rigorous system-scaling tests.

He revealed on Sunday evening that he would be testing X by streaming himself. He is determined to avoid a repeat of the previous platform performance this time. The first stream was approximately 19 minutes long and scored 2.1 million views. The second one, a 46-minute marathon, had 1.3 million viewers.

However, this departure from the old way of “just throwing it out there” is a striking contrast to the disaster of the previous launch of Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’ presidential campaign on X platform.

Trump remains focused on the live-streamed format for his interview, despite his primary association with Truth Social—his platform of choice after being suspended from X following the January 6 insurrection. Although Musk brought back Trump’s X account in November 2022, Trump has just recently made a brief comeback. Also adding a single post in August 2023 with a mugshot and a campaign link. 

Musk’s support for Trump appears to be a key factor in the former President’s gradual return to the platform. Trump’s recent praise for Tesla and Musk suggests a complex and evolving relationship, which could add intrigue to their upcoming interview.

 Elon Musk’s political posts

In 2024, Elon Musk’s social media presence changed greatly. Approximately one-fifth of messages contain political topics, contrasting with only 2% in 2021. The magnate, in the field of technology, who made remarkable achievements in Tesla and SpaceX, is more and more into right-wing politics. The most recent of which is him openly supporting, for example, Florida’s Governor, Ron DeSantis, & ex-President Trump.

The $45 million monthly contribution Musk promised to Trump’s re-election campaign shows that things are getting serious for him. However in the last couple of years, his investments reduced. Musk always gives a general outlook on Tesla SpaceX and the future. However, the influence of his political participation on social media, which has decreased from 21% to 7% from his previous frequency of 28%, has quite a similar intensity.

One of the most plausible ideas is that 193 people are already following Musk. He is among the most influential people on X, and other users are often not even seen. 

Baby Steps in Politics: Elon Musk’s Influence

Elon Musk, the founder of SpaceX, Tesla and X, has been a thrilling, ambitious, and controversial character in the tech scene for many years.

His political views, however, have only recently garnered attention. Initially a supporter of Joe Biden in 2020 and critical of Trump in 2016, Musk shifted his stance in 2021 to align more with the Republican Party, reflecting a significant change in his political orientation.

This shift highlights Musk’s growing influence on American politics and the upcoming general election. It raises concerns about the extent of his impact on the U.S. political landscape.

The Broader Implications of Musk’s Political Involvement

Musk’s transition from tech innovator to political influencer has been gradual but noticeable. He has for years been dealing with political points, acting like a man of the people, criticizing the media and claiming to support “free speech” while at the same time showing controversial views on gender issues.

Elon Musk’s involvement in politics is part of a larger trend where powerful tech leaders use their influence to shape political discussions and public opinion. His actions show how technology and politics are increasingly connected, with tech figures impacting both tech advancements and political outcomes. This trend is also seen with both tech giants like Mark Zuckerberg and Jeff Bezos, who have influenced political issues through their platforms and media.

Musk’s efforts to support Trump through X highlight how tech leaders are becoming key players in politics, raising questions about how their power affects democracy and media. As these influential figures continue to shape political conversations, their decisions will likely have significant effects on public views and policies.

The Uncertain Impact of X

Despite Musk’s political involvement, the extent of his direct influence remains uncertain. Since acquiring X in 2022, the platform’s cultural and political impact has been inconsistent. This is a multifaceted issue. However, some people contend that X had a lot to do with Trump’s victory in 2016. The opposition says that the site was, in fact, naturalized. The platform was, in fact, disfranchised in the 2019 U.K. general election.

Can Musk sway the U.S. general vote in Trump’s favour? Despite X’s fluctuating status, Musk remains a significant political figure.

Musk’s” potential to transfer millions through the Trump campaign could be key in the coming months. This is, in turn, synonymous with a rather uncomfortable reality: a single and quite unpredictable billionaire possesses very significant power. Musk’s abnormal way of behaving in public and the decreasing relevance of X could result in the diversion of public attention from a more compelling issue—his financial leverage and its capacity to reshape the political landscape.

Along with his collaboration with the American right and increasing clout, the focus of power in the hands of just one person becomes increasingly a matter of concern. The main question is the impact of social media. Also the materialization of such vast personal wealth on the democratic process.

Elon Musk’s recent political endeavours, specifically through X, reflect a noticeable change in his public image and impact. His upcoming exclusive interview with Donald Trump is strategically handled by Musk, first, and foremost, to have an error-free livestream. This goal implicitly underscores the depth of his belief in this new venture.

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