Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump are presenting starkly different narratives as they engage with voters on the campaign trail. Harris is emphasizing “joy” — branding the Democratic ticket, which features her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, as “joyful warriors.”
On the other hand, Trump is painting a gloomier outlook for Republicans, warning of “bad things coming up.”
Voters can expect more from both candidates and their running mates in the coming days.
Trump was scheduled to participate in a live interview on X on Monday, the social platform from which he was banned for nearly two years after the Capitol riots on Jan. 6, 2021. However, technical issues plagued the interview, with many users unable to access the conversation.
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Here are the Latest Highlights:
Musk Inquires About Trump’s Assassination Attempt
Elon Musk asked Trump about the assassination attempt at his Pennsylvania rally last month.
“I didn’t know I had that much blood,” Trump commented on the shooting, also mentioning that it was the “best alternative you could think about” given his not more severe injuries.
“I’m now a believer. I’m more of a believer in God, I think,” Trump added after the shooting.
The Interview Commences
Musk finally started the interview at 8:41 p.m. ET, discussing a “massive attack” that had overwhelmed X’s lines.
Trump congratulated Musk on setting a record for the number of people attempting to join in to listen.
The Interview Delay Continues
After attributing technical difficulties to a DDOS attack, Musk announced that the interview would continue with a reduced number of listeners at 8:30 ET, with an audio recording to be posted afterwards.
The electronic elevator music ceased, leaving silence. Over 900,000 people are currently tuned in to listen to Trump’s interview with Musk, according to an X tally, yet the interview has not yet commenced.
Trump Mocked DeSantis Over Campaign Launch Glitches
When Florida Governor Ron DeSantis launched his primary campaign with a glitch-ridden interview on X, Trump mocked his former rival and the Musk platform.
“Wow! The DeSanctus TWITTER launch is a DISASTER!” he posted in May 2023 on his Truth Social network. “His whole campaign will be a disaster. WATCH!”
DeSantis withdrew from the race after a disappointing performance in Iowa’s caucuses.
Musk Attributes Technical Issues to DDOS Attack
Musk revealed on X that the platform was facing a significant DDOS attack, a federal cybercrime that involves overwhelming a site with data to bring it down. Outage monitor Downdetector reported increased reports of X being inaccessible to users prior to 8 p.m. ET.
Trump Campaign Advisor Jests About Internet Breakdown
Senior advisor for the Trump campaign Chris LaCivita jokingly suggests that they broke the internet. In response to a post on X, he humorously stated, “@realDonaldTrump did.”
Challenges Persist with Elon Musk’s Trump Interview
X users continue to face difficulties accessing Donald Trump’s interview with Elon Musk. The interview, scheduled to start at 8:10 p.m. ET, has been plagued by technical issues reminiscent of Musk’s previous interview with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis.
Elon Musk-Trump Interview Delayed Due to Tech Issues
Entrepreneur Elon Musk is scheduled for a conversation with Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump on the social media platform X. However, with over 120,000 people joining the event hosted by Trump’s X account, technical issues have already arisen.
Musk, who was a Democrat until a few years ago, endorsed Trump’s candidacy shortly after the former president’s recent attempted assassination at a Pennsylvania rally, adding to the anticipation of this interview.
Judge Denies RFK Jr.’s Bid for New York Ballot Placement
A judge ruled that independent presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. inaccurately claimed a New York residence on nominating petitions, rendering the documents necessary for ballot appearance invalid.
Judge Christina Ryba’s decision following a brief trial is likely to be challenged. If upheld, it could lead to challenges in other states where Kennedy used a New York suburban address to gather signatures.
Kennedy, who married actor Cheryl Hines in 2014 and has lived in Los Angeles since then, argued that he has deep-rooted ties to New York and intends to relocate.
Trump Falsely Accuses Harris of AI Manipulation
Donald Trump has spread false allegations that an image showing thousands of people awaiting Kamala Harris at Detroit’s airport for a campaign rally was fabricated through artificial intelligence.
Various news organizations documented the crowd size as Harris arrived on Air Force Two, and a digital forensics expert found no manipulation in the photo. Harris’ campaign refuted the claim and confirmed that 15,000 people attended the Detroit airport rally.
Trump’s Hypocrisy on Hacked Materials
Trump, who once encouraged the public release of hacked materials, has changed his stance after his campaign claimed it was hacked by Iran. The campaign labeled any media reprinting the stolen documents as aiding America’s enemies, a reversal from his positive view of hacked data in the 2016 campaign.
FBI Investigates Trump Campaign Hack
The FBI is investigating claims that sensitive documents were stolen from the Trump campaign in a cyber intrusion following the campaign’s announcement of being hacked by Iran.
The FBI confirmed the investigation in response to allegations of stolen campaign data. The claim came after Microsoft reported on attempts to influence the U.S. 2024 campaign, including Iranian military intelligence efforts.
Group Calls on Congress to Pledge Election Result Certification
Looking ahead to Jan. 6, 2025, a group urges Congress to pledge to certify the election results to avoid a repeat of the events of Jan. 6, 2021. Rep. Joe Morelle emphasizes the importance of securing the election process.
147 days before the expected electoral vote count, the group Courage for America is advocating for lawmakers to uphold the election outcome and combat disinformation.
Walz’s Solo Campaign Events
Tim Walz is embarking on his first solo campaign events as Kamala Harris’ running mate, starting with a speech at the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees convention in Los Angeles. He will then attend fundraisers in various states, reinforcing the Democratic campaign.
