Donald Trump has broken his silence on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, posting for the first time since his account was reinstated following the Capitol riot. The former president shared his mugshot from the Fulton County Jail, accompanied by the words 'Never Surrender' and a link to his campaign website.
Trump surrendered in Georgia on charges related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election results. His X account had been permanently suspended in January 2021 over concerns of incitement of violence, but was reactivated after Elon Musk acquired the company last year.
Since his suspension, Trump had been using his own platform, Truth Social, which has a smaller user base. His return to X marks a significant shift, as the platform was a key tool during his presidency. In 2017, he credited Twitter with helping him win the White House.
Political analysts are divided on the impact of his absence from X. Some argue it allowed him to stay out of the public eye while regrouping, while others believe he needs a platform with greater reach. Musk, who has struggled to attract advertising revenue, is likely to welcome Trump's return, as his post garnered over 36 million views and 530,000 likes within three hours.
It remains unclear whether Trump will continue posting on X or if this was a one-off. His first post signals a renewed engagement with a broader audience, potentially reshaping his online presence ahead of the 2024 election.
