Former President Trump has reactivated his presence on X, the social media platform previously known as Twitter, aiming to broaden his reach as he faces a formidable challenge from Vice President Harris. Between Sunday morning and Tuesday evening, Trump posted 18 times, addressing various topics to his 90 million followers.
His recent posts have been critical of Harris, whom he has derisively labeled “Comrade Kamala,” attacking her on subjects ranging from inflation to environmental policies. In one message, Trump condemned Harris as part of “one of the worst Presidencies in History,” and another post, in all caps, declared, “NOVEMBER 5TH WILL BE THE MOST IMPORTANT DAY IN THE HISTORY OF AMERICA!”
Trump reactivates his X account, posting 18 times between Sunday and Tuesday
This surge of activity on X recalls the era when Trump’s tweets would dominate news cycles. Kevin Madden, a veteran Republican strategist, noted that Trump’s return to the platform underscores his strategy to regain control over media narratives and amplify his core messages. Trump’s ability to generate remarkable media attention with each tweet has been a hallmark of his political strategy.
However, Trump’s recent posts have not garnered the same level of media coverage as in the past, raising questions about their impact. Since his ban from Twitter following the January 6 Capitol riot, Trump has primarily used Truth Social, his own platform. Despite the smaller following on Truth Social—7.6 million compared to 90 million on X—Trump’s recent return to X, starting August 12, marks a serious shift.
Caroline Sunshine from Trump’s campaign argued that his engagement on X is crucial for connecting directly with voters, citing substantial online impressions. Meanwhile, Trump’s financial interests in Truth Social, where he holds around $2 billion in shares, might influence his decision to return to X.
Susan Del Percio, a Republican strategist, observed that Trump’s reappearance on X aligns with broader efforts by both campaigns to maximize voter outreach. While Trump’s reactivation on the platform is a strategic move, its effectiveness remains uncertain compared to Harris’s strong online presence.
Joshua Tucker, a political science professor, suggested that Trump’s re-engagement with X could be driven by political gains outweighing financial losses. Despite his continued activity on Truth Social, Trump’s strategy to recapture attention on X could face challenges, particularly given the compressed timeline leading up to the election.
