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Elon Musk, CEO of X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter, is facing new allegations regarding his influence over the U.S. presidential election. Musk, a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, has reportedly used the platform’s algorithm to amplify content supporting Trump and conservative commentators, according to findings by The Wall Street Journal and The Washington Post. The reports reveal statistical anomalies suggesting that Musk’s posts—and those of Trump-supporting accounts—are receiving an unusual engagement boost compared to content from other prominent political figures.
An analysis conducted from January to October 2024 observed a surge in views, retweets, and likes on Musk’s posts, with metrics jumping by 138% for views, 238% for retweets, and 186% for likes. While engagement increased across the board, the data indicates that right-leaning content gained significantly more visibility than progressive or pro-Biden content on the platform.
I fully endorse President Trump and hope for his rapid recovery pic.twitter.com/ZdxkF63EqF
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) July 13, 2024
Algorithmic Favoritism?
This reported algorithmic advantage was initially flagged in a separate investigation by The Wall Street Journal, which found that X’s system was disproportionately promoting content from new and established users supporting Trump. Additionally, X has become more challenging for researchers to analyze since Musk’s acquisition, with the platform limiting data access for third-party audits. The resulting opacity makes it difficult to independently verify claims regarding algorithm manipulation and content bias.
Musk has previously admitted to directing platform engineers to enhance his posts’ reach following an instance in early 2023 when his Super Bowl-related tweet was eclipsed by a post from President Joe Biden. Musk subsequently posted a satirical image implying his content was forcefully “fed” to users, hinting at adjustments within X’s algorithms.
Financial Influence and Political Support
Aside from X’s content boost for conservative voices, Musk has actively backed Trump financially. Recent records show he donated over $100 million to America PAC, a political action committee (PAC) supporting Trump’s presidential campaign. He also participated in a widely viewed live interview with Trump on X, further demonstrating his alignment with the former president. Additionally, Musk launched an initiative purportedly offering $1 million daily to encourage voter registration among targeted voter groups, particularly in swing states—a move that has raised legal questions.
The apparent political slant of X’s algorithm has sparked debates on the neutrality of social media platforms and their influence on democratic processes. Researchers and analysts argue that these platforms wield extensive power over public perception, often without the transparency or regulatory oversight required to hold tech leaders accountable for potential election interference.
Challenges in Regulating Social Media Influence
The recent studies have intensified calls for more stringent regulation of platforms like X, which function with limited external checks. As Musk’s companies maintain substantial government contracts and he continues to leverage X’s algorithm for potentially partisan aims, lawmakers and advocacy groups are raising concerns over unchecked power in social media.
“Musk’s actions are a reminder that these platforms are not neutral,” said a representative from a digital rights group. “When the algorithm amplifies certain voices disproportionately, it impacts the information ecosystem, often with far-reaching political consequences.”
With less than a week remaining before Election Day, Musk’s influence over X’s operations continues to draw scrutiny. The platform’s shift toward favoring right-leaning content underscores the evolving dynamics in social media and politics, highlighting the potential impact of tech moguls on democratic processes.
