A highly anticipated interview between former President Donald Trump and Elon Musk experienced significant delays on Monday due to technical issues, which both individuals suggested, without evidence, were attempts to suppress their voices.
Viewers encountered difficulties tuning in as the Spaces audio feed was reported unavailable, causing the event to start approximately 40 minutes late. Musk attributed the glitch to a cyberattack, although he did not provide proof, and noted that the site appeared to function normally otherwise.
The technical mishaps echoed the challenges faced during Florida Governor Ron DeSantis’s campaign launch on the platform last year, which suffered from similar issues and ended abruptly after just 20 minutes.
Musk, who has voiced support for Trump, opened the conversation by implying that his questions would not be confrontational, stating, “No one is really themselves in an adversarial interview. It’s hard to catch a vibe about someone if you don’t hear them talk in just a normal way.”
During the first segment, they discussed the July assassination attempt on Trump at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, showcasing Musk’s support for the former president. Musk commended Trump for his bravery, stating, “I think a lot of people admire your courage under fire.”
The dialogue then shifted to a shared perspective on illegal immigration and what both men perceive as the Biden administration’s failure to adequately secure the U.S.-Mexico border.
This event marked Trump’s first significant appearance on the platform since Musk reinstated his account following his acquisition of the platform in late 2022. Trump’s account was previously suspended after the Capitol riots on January 6, 2021, for violating rules against glorifying violence. He has since focused his online presence primarily on his own network.
As Trump seeks to regain momentum amidst shifting Democratic strategies including potential changes in nominee, Monday’s interview reflects Musk’s growing alignment with right-wing politics. In July, Musk endorsed Trump following the assassination attempt, and allies of Musk have formed a super-PAC to support Trump’s re-election bid with expected financial contributions in the millions.
This story is developing and will be updated.
