Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump's much-anticipated interview with Elon Musk turned out to be a blend of grievances, personal attacks, bold claims, and mutual admiration, with Musk occasionally offering supportive remarks. The conversation, live streamed on X (formerly Twitter), was delayed by about 40 minutes due to technical issues, which Musk later attributed to a distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attack, though this claim was not confirmed. Once the interview began, Trump wasted no time in making controversial statements, including his assertion that Joe Biden's exit from the presidential race was a "coup."
"I beat Biden so badly in the debate that he was forced out of the race—one of the greatest debate performances ever. Biden's exit, it was a coup," Trump claimed, referencing his performance in the June 28 debate, which he argued was so overwhelming that it effectively pushed Biden out of the race.
Joe Biden, who had been determined to remain in the presidential race despite mounting pressure, abruptly withdrew last month and endorsed Vice President Kamala Harris for the top job. The 81-year-old’s decision came after widespread criticism from fellow Democrats, particularly following what was seen as a lackluster debate performance against Trump. Biden's sudden departure and Harris's elevation as the Democratic nominee has sparked intense debate, with Trump expressing frustration over the turn of events.
During the interview, Trump voiced his displeasure with Kamala Harris stepping in as the Democratic presidential nominee. He took aim at her for what he described as a lack of public engagement since Biden's exit, saying, "She hasn't done an interview since this whole scam started." Trump was clearly unhappy with the change in the Democratic lineup and used the opportunity to criticize Harris, suggesting she was unfit for the presidency.
Elon Musk, known for his often unfiltered opinions, joined in by labeling Kamala Harris as "far left," while Trump went further, calling her a "radical-left lunatic." The two men also took a jab at Harris's running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, with Trump criticizing Walz for his progressive policies, including a controversial measure that allowed tampons in boys' bathrooms. "Well, her running mate approved, signed into legislation, tampons in boys' bathrooms," Trump remarked, to which Musk responded, "Yeah, that’s weird," indicating his agreement with Trump's disapproval.
The conversation then shifted to a more serious topic as Trump recounted a recent assassination attempt against him, describing the experience as "not pleasant." When Musk asked what the shooting was like, Trump responded, "It was a hard hit. It was very, I guess you would say, surreal, but it was not surreal. You know, I was telling somebody, you have instances like this...where you feel it's a surreal situation. And I never felt that way. I knew immediately that it was a bullet." Trump’s account highlighted the gravity of the situation and his ability to remain composed under pressure.
Musk, who had earlier endorsed Trump's presidential bid, cited the former President's response to the assassination attempt as part of his motivation. He recalled the viral images of Trump’s defiant fist pump after the incident, which occurred during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, last month. Musk described these images as "just incredibly inspiring," indicating that Trump’s resilience in the face of danger had left a strong impression on him.
Trump, showing his characteristic bravado, shared his plans to return to Butler in October, joking, "I think I’ll start by saying, 'As I was saying before being so horribly interrupted.'" His remark was met with amusement, but it also underscored his determination to continue his campaign despite the risks involved.
The livestream of the interview attracted a massive audience, with more than 1.3 million people tuning in about 45 minutes into the conversation, according to a counter on X. The overwhelming interest in the discussion led Trump to quip, "Congratulations on breaking every record in the book," likely referring to the large number of viewers who attempted to join the live stream. This record-breaking viewership highlighted the significant public interest in the Trump-Musk dialogue.
As the conversation continued, Trump renewed his attacks on Kamala Harris and Joe Biden, particularly focusing on border issues. He referred to Harris as Biden's "border czar" and repeated his claims that other countries were sending criminals and people with mental illnesses across the US border. Trump reiterated his promise that, if re-elected, he would oversee the "largest deportation" in American history. His comments were a clear attempt to appeal to voters concerned about immigration and border security.
Elon Musk chimed in on the topic, stressing the need for the US to limit illegal immigration. He shared his experience of visiting the southern border, noting that the people he encountered "did not look friendly." Musk’s remarks aligned with Trump’s hardline stance on immigration, reinforcing the former President’s position.
The conversation then took another turn as Trump escalated his previous criticisms of Joe Biden, questioning the President’s intelligence. He made the incendiary claim that Biden "might not even have an IQ at all," a sharp escalation from his past remarks about Biden's low IQ. This statement came during a discussion about the Russia-Ukraine war, with Trump arguing that Russia would never have invaded Ukraine if he were still President. He praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, Chinese President Xi Jinping, and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un as leaders "at the top of their game," a comment that highlighted his admiration for authoritarian strongmen and his belief in the importance of strong leadership.
Trump also blamed Biden for the ongoing inflation crisis in the US, saying it has "killed" Americans. "I think we have the worst inflation we’ve had in 100 years. They say it’s 48 years. I don’t believe it," Trump claimed, referencing the inflation that hit 9.1% in 2022, the highest annual rate in over 40 years. His remarks were aimed at voters who are struggling with the economic impact of rising prices, and he sought to position himself as the candidate who could bring stability to the US economy.
During the two-hour-long conversation, Elon Musk offered to assist Trump in his administration, specifically in controlling government spending, if Trump is re-elected. "I think it would be great to just have a government efficiency commission that takes a look at these things and just ensures that the taxpayer money, the taxpayers' hard-earned money, is spent in a good way," Musk suggested, indicating his willingness to take an active role in a potential Trump administration.
Trump responded enthusiastically, saying he would "love" to have Musk involved, noting the X owner’s cost-cutting measures at the social media company. "You're the greatest cutter. I mean, I look at what you do. You walk in, you just say: 'You want to quit?' They go on strike—I won't mention the name of the company—but they go on strike. And you say: 'That's okay, you’re all gone,'" Trump said, praising Musk’s no-nonsense approach to business.Â
This exchange revealed a potential partnership between the two men, with Musk offering his expertise in government efficiency and Trump expressing admiration for Musk’s management style. In May, the Wall Street Journal reported that Musk and Trump had discussed a potential role for the billionaire in Trump's administration if he is re-elected. Although Musk had pushed back on the report at the time, this conversation suggested that such discussions might still be on the table, indicating a possible collaboration between two of the most influential figures in American politics and business.
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