Trump Asserts to Musk That Iran Attacks Would Cease if He Were President, Amid Interview Glitches

Donald Trump made a notable return to the social media platform formerly known as Twitter during a high-profile interview with Elon Musk, owner of the platform now called X. The conversation, which suffered from numerous technical glitches, featured Trump recounting an assassination attempt, outlining his vision for the largest deportation in U.S. history, and discussing foreign policy, particularly Iran's stance on Israel.

"If I had not turned my head, I would not be talking to you right now — as much as I like you," Trump told Musk, recounting his recent assassination attempt. Musk, who has shifted from a critic to a supporter of Trump, praised the former president's toughness, arguing it is crucial for national security. "There’s some real tough characters out there," Musk said. "And if they don’t think the American president is tough, they will do what they want to do."

During the interview, Trump asserted that "Iran would not be attacking" Israel if he were in office, referring to the ongoing tension over the killing of Hamas political leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran. While Iran and Hamas have accused Israel of orchestrating the assassination, Israel has not confirmed its involvement.

Trump reiterated his belief that Hamas's October 7 massacre in southern Israel would not have occurred under his leadership. He claimed that during his presidency, Iran "had no money for Hamas… they had no money for Hezbollah." He also announced plans to implement an Iron Dome missile defense system in the U.S., citing Israel's use of the system to defend against short-range rocket threats.

Despite the technical difficulties that marred the session, the interview highlighted the changing political landscape, especially as Trump navigates his return to the platform after being banned for spreading disinformation related to the January 6, 2021, Capitol attack.

The interview, which was intended to reach millions of voters, faced delays and glitches that left many users frustrated. With over 878,000 users attempting to connect 40 minutes after the scheduled start time, the interview had not yet commenced. Musk attributed the delay to a "massive attack" overwhelming the system. Trump supporters, including conservative commentator Glenn Beck and billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman, expressed their frustration online.

Trump seized the opportunity to praise Musk for the high interest, as a counter on X indicated up to 1.3 million people were tuning in at various points during the conversation. The event was reminiscent of a previous technical hiccup during a social media conversation between Musk and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.

During the conversation, Trump made several disparaging comments about Vice President Kamala Harris, referring to her as "third rate" and "incompetent." He also mocked a media portrayal of Harris, suggesting it falsely elevated her image. Additionally, Trump expressed his dissatisfaction with Harris's presence on the Democratic ticket, falsely alleging that she had replaced President Biden in a "coup."

The conversation also touched upon the evolving relationship between Trump and Musk. Once adversaries, the two have become allies, with Musk endorsing Trump shortly after the former president's assassination attempt. Trump welcomed Musk's potential involvement in his next administration, suggesting that Musk could join a "government efficiency commission" to help cut waste.

Monday’s interview underscored Musk's shift toward the right in political discourse, as well as Trump's increased presence on the platform X. Despite Trump's initial preference for his own Truth Social site, his X account, with 88 million followers, remains a significant platform compared to his 7.5 million followers on Truth Social.

The evolving dynamics between Trump and Musk, two of the world's most influential figures, continue to shape the U.S. political landscape as the nation approaches the next election cycle. Share this article to stay informed and subscribe to our newsletter for more updates.