--- title: "Elon Musk Modifies Twitter Code to Fawningly Support Donald Trump" description: "X-formerly-Twitter added unremovable Trump 2024 hashtags on top of the trending list, campaign ads on the Explore tab, and cascading flags." date: "2024-07-19" modified: "2024-07-19" authors: - name: "Victor Tangermann" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://futurism.com/authors/victor" url: "https://futurism.com/the-byte/elon-musk-modifies-twitter-code-donald-trump" categories: - "Elon Musk" - "Future Society" - "The Industrialists" tags: - "donald trump" - "elon musk" - "the digest" - "twitter" --- # Elon Musk Modifies Twitter Code to Fawningly Support Donald Trump ![X-formerly-Twitter added unremovable Trump 2024 hashtags on top of the trending list, campaign ads on the Explore tab, and cascading flags.]() *\Image: X / Futurism\* ## TrumpX Now that multi-hyphenate billionaire Elon Musk has [fully outed himself as a Trump fanboy](), it didn't take long for his online echo chamber X-formerly-Twitter to turn into a MAGA-infested enclave. In a new and beyond-parody move, the social media network has [now ]()[added unremovable Trump]() 2024 hashtags on top of the trending list, campaign ads on the Explore tab, and cascading American flags when you click one of the hashtags. Twitter also likely violated copyright by ripping off a post-assassination-attempt photo owned by *Associated Press* photographer Evan Vucci and turning it into a "hashmoji," as [*The Verge* reports](). It's a depressing state of affairs, highlighting a complete reversal of social media companies' [previous attempts]() to keep themselves out of political matters — not that they've had [much success]() in that strategy. Instead of trying to provide a "[digital town square]()" for all, as Musk promised prior to his acquisition of Twitter in 2022, he's now fully leaned into using the platform to promote his own polarizing worldview. In short, Musk has given up on impartiality — and the latest move bookends his years-long descent into [right-wing nutcase conspiracy theories](), [racist tendencies](), and [generalized bigotry](), all of which have found a place to flourish on the platform once known as Twitter. ## Full MAGA Earlier this week, news emerged that Musk was [donating as much as $45 million a month]() to a pro-Trump super PAC run by Silicon Valley conservatives. In a [tweet](), he [congratulated]() Trump's recently announced running mate Republican senator JD Vance, calling it an "excellent decision." And now by turning Twitter-formerly-X into an unofficial — and incredibly gaudy — Trump campaign platform, Musk is nailing the coffin shut. While the social media network was never anywhere near perfect, Musk has extraordinarily damaged it by essentially giving up on content moderation and [allowing hate speech to flourish](). The numbers paint a clear picture: X is [bleeding users]() as people are looking for greener and less bot- and racism-infested pastures. The company has also greatly struggled with [plummeting advertising revenue](), largely driven by Musk's appalling behavior and mismanagement. As always, it's unclear why Musk has thrown his full weight behind a convicted felon and former reality TV host. Besides, the two have [rarely seen eye to eye](). In 2020, for instance, Musk [called Trump]() a "stone cold loser." And in 2022, Trump called Musk's Twitter acquisition a "[rotten]()" deal and accused him of being "another bullshit artist." Is it a matter of ideological alignment — or is Musk simply chasing profits over everything else, with the mercurial CEO hellbent on dismantling the US government bit by bit from the inside out? Given his [track record]() so far, it's likely a mix of both. **More on Twitter:** *[Elon Musk Demands "Criminal Prosecution" of People Who Won't Give Him Money]()* ## Author I've been at Futurism since 2017, where my role has evolved to encompass design, writing, and increasingly editing. I've always been fascinated by space exploration and advanced transportation, which I've leaned into by interviewing luminaries in those fields while closely following the dimensions of policy and regulation that allow next-generation projects to succeed -- or, sometimes, to fail. I'm also keenly interested in the effects of generative AI on society, policies, and democratic institutions, as well as clean energy, physics and biology, and the vagaries of tech leadership. My work for Futurism has been cited by publications including Ars Technica, Gizmodo, PC Magazine, Jalopnik, Fox News, and the New York Post. I spent my childhood living in locations including Manila, the Philippines, and Geneva, Switzerland, attended McGill University, and now live in Toronto, Canada. Before Futurism I worked at AskMen and a small photography studio. In my free time, I'm an avid gardener, foodie, and craft beer lover, as well as a maker of artisanal hot pepper sauces. I have a magnificent dog named Freida. ### Author social links [Bluesky]()