The Harris-Walz campaign is in full-blown crisis mode following an unprecedented interview between former President Donald Trump and tech billionaire Elon Musk on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. The interview, which took place on Monday evening, was marked by a significant Distributed Denial of Service (DDOS) attack that delayed the start but still managed to draw an impressive 1.2 million listeners at its peak.
The event has sent shockwaves through the Democratic Party, particularly among the campaign teams of Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, her running mate. In a panicked response, the Harris campaign sent out a scathing fundraising email attacking Musk, accusing him of using his platform to spread Trump’s “unhinged and hateful agenda” to millions of users.
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The interview itself, which covered a wide range of topics including the economy, border security, foreign policy, and the state of artificial intelligence, was seen as a significant moment in the 2024 election cycle. Musk, who has historically been viewed as a moderate, made headlines during the conversation by endorsing Trump’s candidacy for the 2024 presidential race, despite previous positions that leaned more left-of-center.
During the interview, Trump did not hold back in his criticism of the Biden administration, targeting both President Joe Biden and Vice President Harris. Trump argued that the country could not afford another four years under the current administration, pointing to what he described as a decline in the nation’s economic and geopolitical standing. Musk echoed some of Trump’s concerns, particularly around the risks posed by ongoing policies.
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The DDOS attack that delayed the interview raised suspicions among many observers, including Emmy-nominated investigative reporter Catherine Herridge, who explained on social media that such an attack is designed to cripple a network by overwhelming it with traffic. While the origins of the attack remain unclear, it has added to the growing sense of chaos surrounding the event.
In the aftermath of the interview, the Harris campaign’s email, which was leaked to the public, revealed the deep level of concern within the Democratic ranks. The email, with the subject line “The two worst people you know are live this evening,” lambasted Musk for allegedly attempting to control American democracy by providing Trump with a platform to reach millions. The email also called Musk a “lackey for Team MAGA” and accused him of flooding X with “hate speech and disinformation.”
The email included a desperate plea for donations, urging supporters to contribute $25 to help the Harris-Walz campaign counter what they described as Trump and Musk’s dangerous influence. The tone of the email, which many critics have described as "unhinged," underscores the growing anxiety within the Harris campaign as they struggle to define their platform and respond to the Trump-Musk alliance.
Critics from conservative circles have been quick to pounce on the Harris campaign’s reaction. They argue that the Democrats are increasingly out of touch with the American public and are unable to cope with the growing influence of alternative media platforms like X. Some have even pointed out the irony in Harris’s refusal to engage in a similar interview on the same platform, which Musk reportedly offered her the opportunity to do. The refusal has led to speculation that Harris is avoiding such forums due to a lack of preparedness or fear of being exposed as a weak candidate.
