A Washington Post reporter raised concerns on Monday regarding former President Donald Trump’s planned live interview with Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter), asking what steps President Biden might take to address it. Trump, who recently returned to X after a hiatus, posted a campaign ad ahead of the interview scheduled for 8 pm ET.
The reporter, Cleve Wootson, seemed to suggest that the government should intervene to prevent the interview, especially in light of the upcoming election. He framed the issue as not just a campaign concern but a broader American issue, particularly regarding misinformation on social media platforms.
Wootson asked White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre what role the Biden administration or the President might play in stopping the spread of misinformation, particularly in connection with the interview.
Jean-Pierre agreed that social media companies have a responsibility to address misinformation but did not provide specific details on any actions the administration might take. She emphasized the importance of calling out misinformation but acknowledged that the companies involved are private entities, which limits government intervention.
As anticipation builds for Trump’s interview with Musk, efforts to censor or control the spread of misinformation are intensifying. The European Union also took action, with Thierry Breton, the Commissioner for Internal Market, sending a letter to Musk urging him to ensure responsible handling of the content during the interview, given the potential for harmful content to be amplified.