Donald Trump Returns to X as Election Countdown Begins
Donald Trump, the former US president and current Republican candidate, has made a significant return to social media just three months ahead of the elections, reactivating his profile on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter. His account had been suspended since January 2021 following the Capitol riot instigated by his supporters. In his first post since August 2023, Trump reflected on the current state of the nation, asking, 'Are you better off now than you were when I was president?' He criticized the current administration, stating, 'Our economy is shattered. Our border wiped out. We are a nation in decline.' He called for a revival of the American dream, urging listeners to 'Make America safe again' and to 'Make America great again.' Trump's return comes as he embarks on a campaign relaunch, sharing several posts of his video advertisements.
Trump's account was originally suspended after the tumultuous events following the 2020 presidential elections and the Capitol storming. His last message prior to his suspension expressed his decision not to attend Joe Biden's inauguration. In late 2022, Elon Musk acquired the platform and reinstated Trump's account, although Trump chose to remain inactive for several months, previously only posting a message in August 2023 regarding his criminal charges in Georgia.
In a noteworthy coincidence, Trump's return to X aligns with an interview scheduled between him and Musk, which will take place the same evening at 8:00 PM Eastern Time (2:00 AM Spanish time). European authorities, particularly Brussels, will closely monitor this discussion. Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for the Internal Market, issued a reminder to Musk about compliance with legal standards. His team is attentive to the potential risks associated with online content that could incite violence, hatred, or racism, particularly during significant political events.
In his communication, Breton emphasized that while the Trump interview does not directly affect the European public, the platform holds significant responsibilities for moderating content. He cited previous instances where content on social media has led to unrest, notably in the UK. The commissioner assured that they would not hesitate to implement measures if they find any violations of the EU's digital services laws.
As Trump once again takes to social media, questions arise about the implications of his return, not just in the US, but globally as regulators ponder the power of social media in shaping political discourse and public sentiment. With Musk's close alignment to Trump and the looming election context, this development could signal a renewed era of bombastic political engagement online, serving notice to audiences and authorities alike about the evolving landscape of digital communications in politics.
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