Donald Trump is set to be interviewed live on Monday by Elon Musk on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. The interview comes as Trump seeks to boost enthusiasm for his struggling White House campaign. Musk, the billionaire CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has become a significant figure in U.S. politics, often using his platform to promote right-wing views and criticize President Joe Biden.
Musk previewed the interview, calling it “unscripted with no limits on subject matter,” and promised it would be “highly entertaining.” Trump, who has not posted on X for over a year, shared a campaign video ahead of the interview, framing himself as a victim of persecution by forces attempting to “destroy” the United States.
Musk, a vocal critic of Biden and an opponent of policies aimed at increasing diversity, has become a hero to many young men who align with Trump’s views. The interview is expected to appeal to this audience, particularly those who do not typically engage with traditional conservative media.
The relationship between Trump and Musk has evolved, with Musk recently endorsing Trump after the former president narrowly survived an assassination attempt at a rally. However, their relationship hasn’t always been smooth, as Musk previously endorsed Trump’s rival, Ron DeSantis, and has voiced disagreements with Trump in the past.
Musk, who became a U.S. citizen over 20 years ago, used to vote for Democrats but has since turned against Biden. He has also been involved in spreading misinformation about immigration and voter fraud, aligning himself more closely with the Republican hard right.
Trump and Musk have reportedly grown closer, holding regular phone conversations. Musk resigned from White House business councils in 2017 after Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris climate agreement, but Trump has hinted at the possibility of a new advisory role for Musk.
“I respect Elon a lot. He respects me,” Trump told reporters. “He loves the concept of this country but, like me, he says this country is in big trouble, it’s in tremendous danger.”