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| image source bbc.com |
Ron DeSantis, the Florida governor, is set to announce his 2024 bid for the Republican presidential nomination in a live interview on Elon Musk's Twitter platform on Wednesday. This unconventional approach bypasses traditional campaign kick-off methods like in-person rallies, TV interviews, or polished online videos. By choosing Twitter as his primary platform, DeSantis sends a clear message about the nature of his campaign and his target audience.
The event details are still uncertain, but it is highly likely that DeSantis will face a friendly audience. Elon Musk, speaking at an event on Tuesday, stated that he would not endorse any candidate "at this time." Musk voted for President Biden in 2020 and considers himself a centrist, though he expressed support for DeSantis if he were to run for president.
Appearing on Twitter's live broadcast platform known as Spaces grants DeSantis access to Musk's extensive fan base. Musk, who purchased Twitter, has utilized the platform to amplify conservative voices, earning favor among most conservatives. By aligning himself with Musk and Twitter, DeSantis associates himself with the assertive style of conservatism prevalent on social media in recent years. This move can also be interpreted as a direct challenge to his primary political rival, former US President Donald Trump, signaling that DeSantis will not surrender the online battleground in the 2024 race.
Trump was banned from Twitter following the January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol and subsequently launched his own social media platform, Truth Social. As president, Trump skillfully utilized Twitter to shape the news cycle and considered it crucial to his successful 2016 campaign. While Musk has lifted the ban on Trump, the former president has yet to resume posting on the platform. In a recent interview with BBC News, Musk disclosed that he hadn't spoken to Trump since taking over Twitter and suggested that Trump's return was uncertain.
With significantly more active users than Truth Social, Twitter presents a valuable opportunity for DeSantis. Musk, on the other hand, views this event as a major achievement, as he desires live broadcasts of important moments on Twitter. He particularly shows interest in Twitter Spaces, a platform where millions of people can tune in to interviews. However, by appearing to align himself closely with DeSantis, Musk may face criticism for transforming Twitter into a conservative town hall.
Nevertheless, this close association with Musk comes with potential pitfalls for the DeSantis campaign. While Musk can provide much-needed publicity, he is also famously unpredictable, often acting as a "chaos merchant." He has the power to support and then withdraw support for DeSantis, utilizing his platform to both elevate and undermine the Florida governor.
In conclusion, Ron DeSantis's decision to announce his 2024 bid for the Republican presidential nomination in a live interview on Elon Musk's Twitter platform signifies a departure from conventional campaign kick-off methods. By leveraging Twitter and aligning himself with Musk's extensive fan base, DeSantis aims to appeal to a specific segment of conservative voters. However, the association with Musk brings both benefits and risks, as his unpredictable nature can influence the trajectory of DeSantis's campaign. As the live interview approaches, all eyes are on this unique approach to launching a presidential bid.
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