Cyberattack interrupts the anticipated interview between Musk and Trump on X.

The long-awaited interview between Elon Musk and former President Donald Trump on the platform X, previously known as Twitter, was marked by a tumultuous start due to a cyberattack that affected the broadcast. Problems began at 8:00 PM Eastern Time when users trying to tune into the conversation encountered technical difficulties. More than half an hour of delay and complaints from many interested in following the event generated an atmosphere of frustration and concern. Musk himself addressed his followers to inform them that a "massive DDoS attack" was affecting the platform, a type of cyberattack aimed at overwhelming servers and causing service disruption. In an attempt to calm the situation, Musk stated that his team was working to resolve the issue. However, the incident highlighted the technical vulnerabilities of the network, which has seen significant reductions in staff since Musk took control. Once the interview finally began, shortly after 8:30 PM, Musk used the opportunity to point out that the attack reflected the opposition from some sectors to hearing Trump’s opinions. As the conversation progressed, the number of listeners quickly surpassed one million, demonstrating interest in the event despite the problematic start. This event held special significance given Trump’s recent history with the platform. After being banned for inciting the Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, Trump’s reinstatement on X by Musk had been a source of controversy. Before the interview, Trump had been using his own social media platform, Truth Social, to communicate with his followers, highlighting his return to the platform that was once his main communication channel. Musk, who has expressed his support for the former president on various occasions, seems to be leveraging his substantial influence in U.S. politics to reinforce Trump’s presence on the digital stage. However, the situation is not so simple, as he has also been accused of transforming X into a space where conspiracy theories, particularly those from the right-wing political spectrum, proliferate. The relationship between Musk and Trump has been marked by tensions and support. Recently, Musk had expressed his backing for Ron DeSantis, Trump’s rival in the presidential race. However, following the assassination attempt on the former president at a rally, Musk's stance changed, showing explicit support for Trump in his bid for reelection. The cyberattack incident was not the only challenge Musk faced on the eve of the interview. Hours earlier, Thierry Breton, the European Commissioner for Digital Affairs, had sent a letter to Musk reminding him of his moderation obligations on the platform. In response to this warning, Musk opted for a provocative approach, using a meme to dismiss the caution and reaffirm his management style. As the discussion progressed, Trump and Musk covered a variety of topics, but the controversy surrounding the cyberattack and the political implications of the interview overshadowed the content of the conversation. The lack of control over the platform's infrastructure and Musk's responsibility as its owner were underlying themes, raising concerns about the security and stability of X. With over 194 million followers on his platform, Musk faces a dual responsibility: to satisfy his user base and to manage the implications of his political influence. The interview with Trump was a golden opportunity for both, but the problematic start left a bittersweet taste for an event that promised to be a milestone in modern political communication. Ultimately, Musk promised to make the recording of the interview public as soon as possible, but the damage was already done. The situation raised questions about X's resilience to handle large-scale events in the future and Musk's ability to maintain his vision of the platform as a space for free expression without sacrificing technical stability.