Trump’s X Space Energizes the Base and Dismays Legacy Media
August 16, 2024Key Takeaways
- Donald Trump’s return to X and longform conversation with Elon Musk gathered more than one billion listeners.
- Voters listened with enthusiasm, reconfirming their eagerness to support Trump’s policies over Harris’s confusing and generally empty platform.
- Legacy media outlets reacted with a mix of dismissal and concern, criticizing technical difficulties caused by an apparent DDoS attack and raising alarms about Trump’s popularity.
Our Methodology
Demographics
All Voters
Sample Size
32,000
Geographical Breakdown
National
Time Period
4 Days
MIG Reports leverages EyesOver technology, employing Advanced AI for precise analysis. This ensures unparalleled precision, setting a new standard. Find out more about the unique data pull for this article.
Reactions to Donald Trump’s X space with Elon Musk sparked conversations about free expression, censorship, and manipulation. Supporters celebrate Trump's unfiltered communication style, contrasting him with politically charged media narratives that selectively report on his statements. Meanwhile, many in the media are concerned X—formerly Twitter—is exacerbating divisive rhetoric.
Mark Cuban went on John Stewart to complain about Elon Musk and 𝕏 but ended up being an advertisement for why people should be on 𝕏pic.twitter.com/T3RkisMz0q
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) August 14, 2024
America Likes Raw, Unfiltered Politics
Social media conversations referencing Trump and Musk show broad appreciation for unfiltered, straightforward political conversation. Voter enthusiasm for an open dialogue and off-script discussions contrasts sharply with criticisms from mainstream media. Americans voice their desire for candid discussions by public figures, celebrating authenticity from Trump in the face of Kamala Harris’s carefully crafted image.
People recount personal stories about their paths to political engagement. There are many mentions of firsthand experiences of communism or observers beholding the unfiltered truth of Trump’s policies for the first time. These stories often involve feelings of revelation at the lies of Democrats and the media on ideological and political fronts. These accounts personalize ideological conflicts and mobilize public sentiment around shared values and experiences.
Young voter sentiment appears polarized. Some express disillusionment with traditional politics but still resonate with Trump's directness and his portrayal as an outsider. Others voice a profound fatigue towards what they perceive as Trump's divisive communication style. Detractors cite extremely polarizing moments during his presidency, specifically on issues of race and gender. TikTok analytics show Trump commanding a wide audience despite pervasive negativity about him. This suggests strong curiosity among younger audiences.
- On the day of the X space, Trump received a 2% approval boost nationally and mentions of his presidential campaign jumped to 23,543 from 16,269 the day before.
Legacy Media Hates Being Upstaged
Media outlets respond to Trump's reappearance on X as distressing and undermining. Many lament the wide reach of more than one billion listeners, expressing regret at the audience being composed largely of young voters.
🚨JUST IN: 77% OF THE 27 MILLION PEOPLE THAT TUNED IN TO TRUMP'S SPACE WITH ELON MUSK WERE YOUNGER THAN 34!
— Bo Loudon (@BoLoudon) August 13, 2024
This is why the mainstream media is in MELTDOWN MODE!
Trump has the GEN-Z VOTE!
We know the FAKE NEWS won't report this.
Share to make this go viral! pic.twitter.com/M6Y8hBzwHo
CNN on President Trump’s interview with Elon Musk:
— Proud Elephant 🇺🇸🦅 (@ProudElephantUS) August 12, 2024
“These are people who aren't going to tune into traditional news — who aren't going to follow politics in a traditional sense — but they are going to tune into Elon Musk doing an X space with Trump. This is a group of people who… pic.twitter.com/2PFmuUwFt1
Legacy media commentary often focuses on the apparent DDoS attack that delayed the start of the X space. Reporters highlight the attack as a “glitch” or technological failure, calling it a chaotic resonance of Trump's relationship with digital media. Some portray the delay as a setback for Trump, while others frame it as an irrelevant detail against the backdrop of more serious problems posed by the Trump campaign.
NEW: CNN fumes after the Trump / Musk X Space last night, slams Trump for his comments about their candidate Kamala Harris.
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 13, 2024
Mission successful.
“It began with 40 minutes of silence and then an apocalypse of politics.”
“No matter how you frame it or what caused the glitch, what… pic.twitter.com/QoabK3aast
Demographic and Group Responses
MAGA voters are unanimous in their excitement about the X space and Trump being back on the platform. They align themselves with his narrative about American patriotism in contrast to Democratic disdain for American values. They express urgency about the upcoming election, viewing it as a battle for the very essence of American values against leftist and communist ideologies.
Younger progressive voters are concerned over Trump's policies, particularly women’s rights and LGBTQ issues. Their sentiment often poses Trump as threatening a resurgence of authoritarianism.
Working-class voters appear highly sympathetic towards Trump's economic messaging. Many reflect on his promises of job growth and economic revitalization, arguing his policies offer a chance to restore dignity to working-class Americans. Affluent voters are more likely to voice unease about Trump’s alignment with populist rhetoric, often dismissing him as dangerous or irresponsible.
Conversations about the X space often include words like "communism," "freedom," "socialism," and "values." This highlights the ideological struggle that characterizes the 2024 election. Trump is viewed as a symbol of resistance against the left, while Kamala Harris symbolizes strong pushes for progressive change.
X is Preserving Free Speech
Americans are concerned about increasing attacks on free speech. They view the assault as part of a larger strategy by the left to suppress dissenting voices. Many express their support for Musk and Trump as hinging on their advocacy for the First Amendment. This group often suggests the DDoS attack was an attempt to banish freedom of expression, despite Elon Musk providing an open forum. This collective sentiment positions Trump supporters as guardians of liberty against rapidly receding constitutional rights.
There is a growing public anxiety about the future of American democracy on both sides of the aisle. Democrats and progressives present Donald Trump as a threat to democracy while Republicans and conservatives point to the Democratic establishment as already trampling norms and constitutional freedoms.
Comment threads on X and other platforms often contain a sense of urgency. Many view the current political climate as one of their remaining chances to make a stand for their beliefs. Phrases like “the last real worldview difference election” and calls for unity among conservatives underscore a rallying cry against socialist encroachment.
Trump on the Issues
Many voters who listened to Trump’s X space are taking the opportunity to contrast his policy proposals with Kamala Harris’s. People note that Trump touched on various important voter issues, while Harris has yet to release any meaningful policy platform.
- Since her announcement as the Democratic nominee, Kamala Harris has gradually lost support.
- She received an approval bump with announcing Tim Walz as her running mate, but the downward trend continues, showing 49% on July 20 compared to 44% today.
- Donald Trump also received an approval bump following his X space, jumping from 44% to 46% on the day of the stream before settling back at 44%.
- Discussion volume around Trump’s campaign also spiked following the X space, jumping to 23,543 from 16,269 the day before.
Fake Kamala
Conversations online contain a constant stream of condemnation directed at Kamala Harris. Voters call her a "flip-flopper," "radical," and "fake," criticizing her actions and positions. Sentiments largely reflect a perception that Harris is an untrustworthy politician who lacks genuine convictions.
Trump critics highlight the discrepancy between his rhetoric and actions, particularly on immigration and the economy. They claim he adversely affected large segments of the population, championing Harris as an antidote.
- After Joe Biden’s withdrawal from the presidential race, Kamala Harris received a significant support boost.
- However, that support has steadily eroded over the last month, dropping to 39% compared to Trump’s 58% today.
Border Security
One of the most frequently discussed topics following Trump’s X space is border security. People want stronger borders to stop illegal immigration. There is admiration for Trump's policies and stringent border controls, linking them to national safety and economic stability. Conversations portray Trump as a champion for strong borders, with discussions citing illegal crossings during his administration compared to today.
Critics accuse Trump and Republicans of politicizing border security for political gain. However, these arguments are often made ideologically rather than with references to specific policy disagreements.
Taxes
Trump’s proposal to eliminate taxes on tips is also popular. People discuss Kamala Harris’s attempt to piggyback on this policy, highlighting Trump’s comments about her being a copy-cat. Supporters say Trump advocates for the working class with tax relief measures. There is both support for Trump's fiscal policies and skepticism towards Harris’s lackluster economic platform.
Many of these conversations suggest Trump’s proposals resonate more authentically with the public.
Election integrity
Election integrity remains a salient topic in voter conversations, particularly related to Trump’s chances at the ballot box. People discuss Democratic Party tactics, mentioning "Joe Biden," and "Coup 2.0"as heightening their suspicions. Sentiments generally portray Trump as a victim of a political system designed to undermine him.
This fosters a feeling of agitation among his supporters who are concerned about secure voting procedures in November. Discourse around potential election fraud continues to be a rallying theme for Trump voters, blending feelings of indignation and loyalty toward him.