Elon Musk’s X: A MAGA Megaphone and Its Role in Trump’s Reelection
Elon Musk, the billionaire CEO of X (formerly Twitter), spent election day engaging in activities typical of his recent online persona: praising men, amplifying anti-immigrant conspiracies, and accusing Democrats of voter fraud. This behavior aligns with his fervent support for Donald Trump, for whom he has become a prominent online advocate and a prolific source of misinformation. Musk’s declaration to his followers after Trump’s projected victory – "You are the media now" – underscores the transformative role he envisions for X in the political landscape. This statement carries significant weight considering Musk’s substantial investment, reportedly at least $119 million, in supporting Trump’s campaign and reshaping the platform into a hub for right-wing discourse.
Musk’s acquisition of Twitter was marked by a proclaimed commitment to free speech. However, his actions have been characterized by a willingness to appease authoritarian regimes while simultaneously fostering an environment conducive to the spread of misinformation and right-wing ideologies within the United States. While X may not boast the largest user base among social media platforms, its influence appears to be expanding, particularly as other platforms grapple with content moderation policies and Trump returns to the presidency.
Musk, with his 203 million followers, holds the largest reach on X and utilizes this platform to disseminate anti-immigrant conspiracy theories and right-wing propaganda. His influence is further amplified by algorithmic adjustments made at his request, prioritizing his posts in users’ feeds. These posts, increasingly focused on discrediting the election process, have garnered an estimated 2 billion views, according to the Center for Countering Digital Hate. The platform’s shift away from fact-checking labels to a crowdsourced system, Community Notes, raises concerns about the efficacy of combating misinformation.
The prevalence of right-wing voices and conspiracy theories on X is not a result of coordinated manipulation but a reflection of the platform’s current design. The extent of X’s influence on Trump’s reelection remains uncertain, as does Musk’s future strategy for the platform in light of a potential role in the new administration. However, the need for critical evaluation of online content remains crucial, particularly given the absence of robust safeguards against misinformation.
Experts warn that the current trend of unchecked misinformation is likely to worsen, particularly with the increasing sophistication of AI-powered disinformation campaigns. X, in its current state, seems to incentivize and reward the spread of such content. This has led to a grim outlook from many observers, who see the platform as a breeding ground for harmful narratives.
Despite concerns about declining user engagement and relevance, X retains a substantial user base, exceeding 570 million monthly active users. This dwarfs other right-wing platforms and surpasses competitors like Mastodon and Blue Sky, which attracted users fleeing Musk’s Twitter. While Meta’s Threads boasts 275 million monthly active users, its focus on limiting political content contrasts sharply with X’s embrace of unfiltered political discourse. X has emerged as the preferred platform for political news consumption, according to recent surveys, highlighting a shift from celebrity-driven content to political engagement. This transformation has been accompanied by a significant partisan shift, with right-wing voices now dominating the platform.
Republicans have also reassessed their perspective on X’s impact on democracy. Once viewed as a platform that suppressed conservative voices, X is now perceived as a champion of free speech by the right. This shift in perception reflects the growing resonance of right-wing narratives within the platform’s ecosystem. The partisan divide on X intensified during the election cycle, as Republicans who felt their voices amplified on the platform also experienced success at the ballot box.
Musk’s political ambitions extend beyond social media. He has indicated continued involvement in political funding through his America PAC and has discussed potential roles in the Trump administration, including leading a task force to review federal expenditures. His proposals for drastic budget cuts and the creation of a Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) underscore his desire to reshape government spending. Musk’s close relationship with the Trump administration could also benefit his various companies, including SpaceX and Tesla, potentially through favorable regulatory decisions and lucrative government contracts. His AI venture, xAI, could also benefit from increased government cooperation, particularly in accessing resources like cheap energy.
The resurgence of X’s relevance and influence under a second Trump administration presents a complex scenario. While right-wing users celebrate the platform as a realized vision of a digital town square, concerns remain about the unchecked spread of misinformation and its potential consequences for democratic processes. Musk’s evolving role in both the political and technological spheres warrants close scrutiny as he continues to shape the discourse and influence the trajectory of online platforms.
