Listeners to Donald Trump’s interview with Elon Musk on X on Monday sent the internet into a frenzy after some noticed the ex-president appeared to have a slight lisp.
It was unclear whether Trump had misspoken or whether there was an audio quality issue after the call on X began with several technical difficulties.
Many people on both the left and the right have created memes to ridicule the former president’s voice. One of their supporters even photoshopped Trump as Mike Tyson.
“Iron Trump gives a great interview. Lisp and all,” said one supporter, referring to the nickname of the boxing champion and “Hangover” star.
Others compared him to two of the most famous lisping cartoon characters in history: Daffy Duck and Sylvester the Cat.
Listeners of Donald Trump’s interview with Elon Musk on X on Monday sent the internet into overdrive after some noticed the former president appeared to speak with a slight lisp. A meme from a Trump supporter has photoshopped him to look like Mike Tyson
Others compared him to two of the most famous lisping cartoon characters in history: Daffy Duck and Sylvester the Cat
“Trump sounds subdued like a cartoon on Twitter. His microphone picks up a funny lisp,” one listener wrote.
Another wondered: ‘Trump sounded like he was slurring his words a little. Did he get his teeth fixed? Elon sounds like he always does.’
However, left-wing streamer Hasan Piker defended Trump, claiming that this was because people always sounded like them on X Spaces’ audio quality.
“It’s probably due to audio compression issues, but Trump sounds like he has a lisp.”
Journalist Michael Tracey also reported having similar problems with the service.
‘Trump doesn’t slur his words. I’ve had a strange experience at Spaces, where it sounded like I was lisping ridiculously loudly.’
However, former CNN journalist Chris Cillizza wondered how Trump would respond to the flood of memes posted online about the alleged lisp.
“Trump’s lisp is SUPER pronounced. Probably the only thing he’ll care about when he reads the news coverage of this interview,” he wrote.
Many on the right and left have created memes ridiculing the former president’s vote
SV Date, White House correspondent for the left-leaning Huffington Post, asked the Trump campaign why the ex-president seemed to be speaking so unclearly.
“It must be your bad hearing. Get your ears checked,” a spokesperson responded.
Musk’s interview with former President Donald Trump ultimately began about 40 minutes later than scheduled.
He said his conversation with former President Donald Trump would take place before a smaller audience and that he would release an audio recording immediately afterward, after a technical problem disrupted Monday night’s programming.
Musk said his website, X, had been the victim of a cyberattack, which was why the interview with Trump could not load.
“We tested the system earlier today with 8 million concurrent listeners,” the SpaceX and Tesla CEO emphasized.
X users were greeted with loud music when they tried to enter Donald J. Trump’s ‘Space’ to hear the former president speak with X owner Elon Musk.
Finally the music stopped and a rustling sound was heard.
Musk’s interview with former President Donald Trump ultimately began about 40 minutes later than scheduled
But then it appeared that Trump had tempered his stance.
The long-awaited interview was scheduled to begin at 8 p.m.
Musk supported Trump shortly after the assassination attempt in Butler, Pennsylvania.
The SpaceX and Tesla CEO then explained that the Q&A would be a conversation and not a hostile interview.
“It’s hard to get a sense of someone if you don’t hear them speak in a normal way,” Musk said.
The technical gaffes that plagued Trump’s interview Monday night were reminiscent of Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis’ attempt to launch his 2024 presidential campaign on the social media platform.
In May 2023, DeSantis announced via X that he was running for president, but the site crashed.
Trump joked about his rival at the time.
“Wow! The DeSanctus TWITTER launch is a DISASTER! His entire campaign is going to be a disaster. WATCH!” Trump wrote on Truth Social at the time.
DeSantis only survived the Iowa caucuses, finishing a close second behind Trump.
He tried to gain support in Nikki Haley’s home state of South Carolina, but dropped out before the first primary in New Hampshire, where he endorsed Trump.