The White House faced questions about potential intervention just ahead of the widely anticipated live conversation between President Donald Trump and X owner Elon Musk.
The interview, which was scheduled for Monday night at 8 pm ET, drew attention from media outlets and government officials alike.
Washington Post reporter Cleve Wootson raised concerns about the potential spread of misinformation through the platform during a recent press briefing.
“I really love these free speech warriors on a mission to save democracy,” one X user said of the now-viral exchange.
Wootson asked White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre (KJP) about the administration’s stance on the matter, framing it as both a campaign issue and a broader concern for the nation.
“What role does the White House or the President have in stopping that or stopping the spread of that or sort of intervening in that?” Wootson inquired, referring to the possibility of misinformation being shared during the Trump-Musk interview.
KJP’s response emphasized the administration’s view on social media platforms’ responsibilities.
“We believe that they have the responsibility,” she stated, acknowledging the delicate balance between addressing misinformation and respecting the private nature of these companies.
KJP clarified that she had no specific information about internal White House actions regarding the interview, however.
She added, “I’m sure the President’s not tracking it either,” suggesting that the administration may not be actively involved in monitoring or intervening in the event.
This exchange comes at a time of heightened tensions surrounding free speech and content moderation on social media platforms.
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Trump’s return to X, after a period of absence, has reignited debates about the role of tech companies in political discourse.
Adding another layer to the controversy, reports emerged of international pressure on Musk to censor the former president during the interview.
A letter reportedly sent by Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for Internal Market, to Musk on August 12, 2024, demanded such action.
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Breton, a French business executive and politician, represents the European Union’s stance on digital content regulation.
