Former President Donald Trump has made a notable return to X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter. This reappearance marks a significant shift in his digital strategy, as he had remained largely inactive on the platform since his reinstatement by X’s owner, Elon Musk, in 2022. Trump’s return comes with a series of campaign-related posts, igniting widespread discussion and debate across the country.
In January 2021, Trump was permanently banned from Twitter, now rebranded as X, due to his role in spreading disinformation that allegedly contributed to the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. This ban was a pivotal moment in social media history, as it represented one of the most severe disciplinary actions taken by a major platform against a sitting U.S. president.
Trump’s Campaign-Driven Reentry on X
Trump’s recent activity on X is heavily campaign-oriented. His account is now a hub for political advertisements, rallying his supporters with familiar slogans and criticisms of current political figures. One of his most prominent posts has already amassed over 14 million views, addressing what he perceives as the nation’s declining state.
“Are you better off now than you were when I was president? Our economy is shattered. Our border has been erased. We’re a nation in decline. Make the American Dream AFFORDABLE again. Make America SAFE again. Make America GREAT Again! #TrumpOnX”
This post echoes the themes of Trump’s previous campaigns, with a strong emphasis on economic issues, border security, and his iconic “Make America Great Again” mantra. The post has stirred considerable discourse, resonating with his base while drawing criticism from opponents who question the accuracy of his claims.
Trump’s Consistent Messaging and Criticism of Opponents
Trump’s return to X has been characterised by a series of posts that reinforce his campaign messages and critique his political adversaries. Among these are slogans that his supporters are well familiar with, such as:
“MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN! http://DONALDJTRUMP.COM”
“TRUMP WAS RIGHT ABOUT EVERYTHING! http://DONALDJTRUMP.COM”
“MEET SAN FRANCISCO RADICAL KAMALA HARRIS! http://DONALDJTRUMP.COM”
These messages are consistent with Trump’s long-standing approach of leveraging social media to mobilize his base, amplify his political rhetoric, and criticize his opponents, particularly Vice President Kamala Harris, whom he has targeted in multiple posts.
Technical Issues and Conversation with Elon Musk
Trump’s return to X also included a conversation with Elon Musk on the platform’s Spaces feature. However, the event faced significant technical challenges, with reports suggesting that a potential Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack caused nearly an hour-long delay.
Despite the setback, the conversation eventually took place, with Musk commending Trump for his management of a recent assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The discussion covered a broad range of topics, including illegal immigration, the COVID-19 pandemic, and Trump’s political rival, Vice President Kamala Harris.
Trump’s History with X (Formerly Twitter)
To provide some context, Trump’s account was permanently banned from Twitter, now X, in January 2021. This decision was made in response to repeated violations of the platform’s policies, particularly concerning the spread of misinformation. This action was one of the most severe disciplinary measures ever taken by a social media platform against Trump, who had been a prolific user of Twitter to share official policies, attack political opponents, and broadcast his viewpoints.
For years, there had been growing pressure on Twitter to take action against Trump’s tweets, many of which contained falsehoods and inflammatory content. Ultimately, the platform decided to ban him entirely, a move that was both lauded and criticized by different segments of the public.
A Divisive Return
Donald Trump’s return to X has reignited discussions about his influence in American politics and the role of social media in shaping public discourse. As the former president continues to use X as a tool for his campaign, it remains to be seen how this will impact the political landscape leading up to the next election.
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