On a recent Thursday, a new face in the White House press briefing room marked a significant shift in media dynamics. John Stoll, recently appointed as head of news at X—the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, found himself in a seat designated for emerging media voices. His presence there underscores X’s rising influence under the Trump administration, as platforms like X increasingly serve as direct conduits for governmental communication.
Introduced by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, Stoll was invited to ask the first question. “As you all know—you are all on X—it’s home to hundreds of millions of users,” Leavitt remarked, signaling the platform’s clout across global and political spectrums. This move is part of the growing number of privileges granted to X as Elon Musk cements his influence alongside President Trump.
Since the election, X has become a primary channel for administration updates, with Musk frequently using it to broadcast his Department of Government Efficiency’s initiatives and other federal cost-cutting measures to his massive 219 million followers. Following Musk’s lead, numerous government agencies, including the IRS and the Defense Department, have set up X accounts to interact with the public on federal waste issues.
Despite ongoing challenges, such as struggling to meet revenue targets and facing overseas regulatory scrutiny, X’s profile has been bolstered by its alignment with the Trump administration. Notably, major advertisers like Amazon and Apple have returned, strengthening investor confidence and resulting in significant debt sales. The platform’s elevated visibility draws on Musk’s proximity to Trump, although the longevity of this support remains uncertain.
The dramatic evolution of X follows decisions and advisory roles Musk has undertaken since he became a key figure in the Trump administration, particularly in government efficiency efforts. However, X’s journey under Musk’s leadership has been rocky. After acquiring the company in late 2022, Musk made sweeping changes, including mass layoffs and the removal of certain moderation policies, which initially scared off advertisers.
In a pivotal move, Musk recently sold X to his AI startup, xAI, merging two disparate companies with the hope of renewed growth. Linda Yaccarino, X’s CEO, emphasized X’s role as a hub for real-time interaction and unfiltered ideas, asserting, “X is where everything happens.” Musk, who has often expressed displeasure with traditional media, has positioned X as a new media force, promoting citizen journalism over traditional outlets.
This shift has seen the introduction of DOGE-themed accounts for various government agencies, now used as tip lines for cost-cutting initiatives. The accounts, marked by official verification, illustrate X’s transformation into a hub for government communication. This transformation is bolstered by figures like Senator Joni Ernst, dubbed the “top watchDOGE,” who collaborates with Musk on government efficiency.
In the midst of these changes, Stoll’s presence symbolizes not only innovation in the media landscape but also a strategic endorsement of X by the White House. Stoll remarked that his presence demonstrated the administration’s “open-mindedness” and commitment to innovation within the media sphere. The collaboration between new media platforms and the government signals a shift towards more direct, real-time engagement, a hallmark of Musk’s influence.
Ryan Mac contributed to this report.
Original Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/07/technology/elon-musk-x-trump.html
Category : United States Politics and Government,Social Media,X (Formerly Twitter),Musk, Elon,Trump, Donald J,Online Advertising,Computers and the Internet
Tags:
Publish Date: 2025-04-07 14:31:00
