SAN FRANCISCO: Elon Musk, the owner of X (formerly Twitter), is set to conduct a live interview with former United States (US) President Donald Trump.
In preparation, Musk announced that he will perform system scaling tests on the platform to ensure it can handle the expected influx of viewers.
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Musk shared this update on X, stating, “Am going to do some system scaling tests tonight [and] tomorrow in advance of the conversation with @realDonaldTrump.”
System scaling tests assess and enhance a platform’s performance and capacity, especially during high-traffic periods. For X, these tests are essential to manage the expected increase in viewers during Trump’s live interview, aiming to provide a smooth and uninterrupted user experience.
Trump’s interactions with X have been eventful. After his suspension in 2021 due to violations of platform policies related to the January 6 Capitol riots, Trump launched his own platform, Truth Social.
He also sought legal avenues to restore his official account on X. Following Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in 2022, Trump’s account was reinstated, though he has mainly continued to use Truth Social for his communications. His latest post on X featured a mugshot from his Georgia arrest.
The upcoming interview between Trump and Musk on X is a major event for both parties. Trump aims to leverage X’s vast user base to better his campaign amid significant competition from Kamala Harris.
Meanwhile, Musk, a supporter of Trump, is using the platform to impact political discussions.
The high-profile interview has drawn scrutiny from the European Union (EU). Thierry Breton, the EU Commissioner for the Internal Market, sent a letter to Musk reminding him of the EU’s Digital Services Act, which mandates that platforms manage harmful content, including misinformation and hate speech.
Elon Musk responded with a dismissive meme, ridiculing Breton’s concerns.
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In response, X’s CEO, Linda Yaccarino, criticised the EU’s stance as an undue interference in US political matters. The Trump campaign supported this view, accusing the EU of attempting to disrupt Trump’s campaign and encroach on free speech.