Late Tuesday, former President Trump took to social media to attribute his “different and strange” voice during a lengthy discussion with tech mogul Elon Musk to technological issues.
Trump posted on Truth Social, expressing gratitude for the “strong Endorsement” Musk gave during their conversation. He claimed that modern equipment and cellphone technology had caused his voice to sound unusual in parts of the recording, prompting the release of a perfect version of the conversation.
Listeners of the live chat on X noticed that Trump sometimes seemed to have a lisp or struggled with clear enunciation, which sparked criticism. The two-hour dialogue, initially delayed due to technical issues Musk attributed to a cyberattack, drew over 1 million live listeners at its peak.
During the discussion, Trump largely adhered to policy issues, criticizing Vice President Harris, as his supporters had advised. However, his praise for Musk’s decision to fire striking workers drew huge backlash.
Following the conversation, Trump criticized the media for not sufficiently covering the large audience that tuned in. His team views these high-profile discussions with figures like Musk as proof of his ability to engage extemporaneously and has criticized Harris for avoiding unscripted interactions.
Polling data indicates that since becoming the Democratic nominee after President Biden’s withdrawal, Harris has gained momentum. The Cook Political Report revealed Wednesday that Harris is leading Trump in five out of seven crucial battleground states.