Donald Trump Returns to X with New Posts Ahead of Elon Musk Interview

Former President Donald Trump has returned to X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, after nearly a year of inactivity.

This resurgence comes just ahead of a highly anticipated interview with X owner Elon Musk, scheduled to take place on the platform.

Trump is set to do an interview with Elon Musk on X. X / @realDonaldTrump

On Monday, Trump’s X account was reactivated with a new 2-minute and 31-second video ad. The ad features a montage of Trump’s speeches and highlights from his presidency, including his responses to the FBI raid on his Mar-a-Lago residence and various indictments.

The video showcases Trump defending his record and portraying himself as a staunch protector of American values.

In the ad, Trump declares, “I never thought anything like this could happen in America. The only crime I have committed is fearlessly defending our nation from those who seek to destroy it.”

This clip refers to his earlier statements about his arraignment in the “hush money” case in New York City. The video emphasizes Trump’s time in office and includes images of him with former First Lady Melania Trump and his supporters. The video does not mention his current political opponent, Vice President Kamala Harris, or the Democratic Party.

pic.twitter.com/tf87iebMdN

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) August 12, 2024

Following his initial post, Trump quickly added several more updates to his account. He criticized the nation’s current state, writing, “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.

Trump and Musk will speak on X at 8 p.m. Monday. AFP via Getty Images

Make America GREAT Again!” Additionally, Trump shared information about his upcoming interview with Musk and posted a video featuring himself walking down a hallway, interspersed with promises to combat the “deep state.”

Trump’s video showed clips of him in the White House and speaking to supporters. X / @realDonaldTrump

The last time Trump posted on X was in August 2023, when he shared a mugshot from his indictment in Georgia’s racketeering case.

His return to X comes as he is set to participate in an unscripted, unrestricted interview with Musk at 8 p.m. ET on Monday. Musk has invited his followers to submit questions for the interview.

Trump’s previous ban from X, known as Twitter, was imposed after posts deemed potentially inciting violence. Two notable tweets that led to his suspension were: “The 75,000,000 great American Patriots who voted for me, AMERICA FIRST, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, will have a GIANT VOICE long into the future. They will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!!” and, “To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th.”

After acquiring X, Elon Musk reinstated Trump’s account in 2022, but Trump had chosen to continue posting primarily on his platform, Truth Social.