X, the social media service owned by Elon Musk, is making a major push into politics by hosting live video town halls with former President Donald J. Trump and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in the run-up to the U.S. presidential election.
According to a source familiar with the plans, the town halls will be produced in partnership with the cable channel NewsNation, allowing X users to ask questions of the presidential candidates during the events. While the town halls have yet to be scheduled and moderators have not been selected, the involvement of high-profile figures like Mr. Trump and Mr. Kennedy is sure to draw attention.
In a recent appearance on NewsNation, Mr. Kennedy confirmed his plans to participate in a town hall, revealing that Mr. Musk had offered the use of the platform. X has undergone significant changes under Mr. Musk’s ownership, with the billionaire reducing its workforce, overhauling its technology, and using the platform to advance his personal agendas.
The decision to host town halls with political figures like Mr. Trump and Mr. Kennedy comes after a meeting between Mr. Trump and Mr. Musk in March. While Mr. Musk has been critical of President Biden on the platform, inviting him to hold a town hall that has yet to receive a response, he has not officially endorsed Mr. Trump.
The presence of Mr. Trump on X, even if only for the town hall, could bring fresh viewership to the platform, which has faced challenges under Mr. Musk’s ownership. Advertisers have pulled back due to concerns about hate speech and misinformation on the platform.
Under the leadership of chief executive Linda Yaccarino, X has been incorporating more video features, making deals to produce content with TV personalities like Tucker Carlson, Tulsi Gabbard, and Paris Hilton. Ms. Yaccarino’s push to make X a video platform has led to the partnership with NewsNation for the upcoming town halls.
As X continues to evolve under Mr. Musk’s ownership, the hosting of live video town halls with prominent political figures signals a new direction for the platform and its potential impact on the upcoming presidential election.
