Elon Musk’s X Features New Trump Hashtags Amid Endorsement

In a notable and potentially impactful development, Elon Musk’s social media platform, X (formerly Twitter), has introduced two new hashtags themed around former President Donald Trump. This change follows a high-profile endorsement from Musk, which came after Trump survived an assassination attempt during a rally on Saturday. The introduction of these hashtags underscores Musk’s influential role in the political landscape and highlights the growing intersection between technology and politics.

The newly launched hashtags, #MAGA and #Trump2024, have been given distinctive branding that includes visual elements associated with Trump. The hashtag #MAGA, which stands for “Make America Great Again,” now features an image of Trump with his fist raised in a gesture of triumph. In contrast, #Trump2024 is adorned with an American flag, which reinforces Trump’s campaign theme for the upcoming presidential election. As of Thursday evening, #MAGA has become the top trending hashtag on X, reflecting its significant traction and engagement among users. Similarly, searching for #Trump2024 on the platform now results in a dynamic display of American flags cascading down the search page, adding a visually striking element to the hashtag’s presence.

The timing of these branded hashtags is particularly noteworthy. The launch of #MAGA and #Trump2024 follows Musk’s endorsement of Trump, which he made public shortly after Trump survived an assassination attempt at a campaign rally. This endorsement is not surprising given Musk’s recent alignment with right-wing political stances. Musk’s support for Trump comes at a crucial moment, just hours before Trump is scheduled to address the Republican National Convention and accept the Republican nomination for the 2024 presidential election. This endorsement and the associated hashtags reflect a strategic effort to boost Trump’s visibility and support on social media.

In contrast, the hashtag #Biden2024, representing the current President, does not feature the same level of branded elements as the Trump-related hashtags. This absence of comparable branding for Biden’s campaign underscores a potential disparity in the way political endorsements and support are visually represented on X. The presence of branded features for Trump’s hashtags highlights a focused effort to promote his campaign and engage users in a way that is visually and symbolically aligned with his political messaging.

The new hashtag variants, known as “hashmojis,” have a history of being used by advertisers and partners to promote various events, products, and brands on social media platforms. Typically, these hashmojis remain active for around 24 hours, serving as short-term promotional tools. However, the Trump-themed hashmojis have generated considerable attention, suggesting a more strategic and extended use of this feature in the context of a high-profile political endorsement. The fact that these hashmojis have been applied to Trump’s campaign indicates a deliberate effort to enhance his presence on the platform and capitalize on the political momentum surrounding his candidacy.

The cost of implementing these branded hashtags remains unclear. X has not disclosed specific pricing information for its branded features, which raises questions about whether the Trump-themed hashtags were acquired through a purchase by Trump’s campaign, an affiliated organization, or if they were introduced as part of an internal initiative by X. Forbes has reached out to X for clarification on this matter but has yet to receive a response. The lack of transparency regarding the cost and procurement of these hashtags adds an additional layer of intrigue to the situation.

A spokesperson for Trump has also not responded to inquiries from Forbes about the nature of the endorsement and the new hashtags. This absence of immediate commentary from Trump’s team contributes to the uncertainty surrounding the motivations behind the endorsement and the strategic use of branded hashtags. The situation remains fluid, with ongoing speculation about the implications of Musk’s endorsement and the visual branding of Trump’s campaign on X.

Elon Musk’s endorsement of Trump comes in the wake of a dramatic and violent incident—the assassination attempt on Trump during a rally. Musk’s public support for Trump was not entirely unexpected, given his recent political positions and statements. Musk has increasingly voiced right-wing viewpoints on various issues, including immigration, free speech, and vaccines. Earlier this year, Musk indicated a shift away from supporting President Joe Biden but did not explicitly endorse Trump at that time. His support for Trump has become more pronounced, particularly in light of his reported financial contributions to pro-Trump super PACs. Reports suggest that Musk donated to a super PAC called America PAC and is set to provide around $45 million a month to support Trump’s campaign efforts.

Musk’s financial status as the world’s richest individual, with an estimated net worth of approximately $250.3 billion, further amplifies the significance of his endorsement. His wealth positions him ahead of other high-profile figures such as Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, with a net worth of $201.3 billion, and LVMH chief Bernard Arnault, whose net worth stands at $191.4 billion. Musk’s considerable resources and influence play a pivotal role in shaping political narratives and supporting specific candidates, underscoring the growing influence of tech moguls in modern political campaigns.

The introduction of Trump-themed hashtags on X represents a significant development in the intersection of social media and political campaigns. As the 2024 presidential election approaches, the role of social media platforms in shaping public opinion and influencing political discourse will continue to evolve. The branded features on X highlight the dynamic nature of digital media and its impact on political engagement and campaign strategies.