October 13th, 2024

Trump campaign worked with Musk's X to keep leaked JD Vance file off platform

Donald Trump's campaign collaborated with X to suppress a leaked vetting document for JD Vance. Journalist Ken Klippenstein was banned for sharing it, raising concerns about Musk's influence on information control.

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Trump campaign worked with Musk's X to keep leaked JD Vance file off platform

Donald Trump's campaign collaborated with X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, to suppress a leaked document related to JD Vance, Trump's potential running mate. The document, a 271-page vetting file, was shared by journalist Ken Klippenstein, who was subsequently banned from X. The platform justified the ban by claiming the document contained sensitive personal information, including Vance's social security number. This incident follows a hack of the Trump campaign linked to Iran, with the leaked materials being shared with various media outlets, which chose not to publish them. The situation has drawn attention to Musk's increasing support for Trump, especially after Musk's public appearances at Trump rallies. Klippenstein criticized Musk for using his influence to control information, arguing that it undermines fundamental American rights such as free speech. Musk has also funded a political action committee to support Trump's campaign, indicating a significant financial investment in the upcoming election. The controversy raises questions about the role of social media in political discourse and the implications of corporate influence on public information.

- Trump's campaign worked with X to block a leaked vetting document for JD Vance.

- Journalist Ken Klippenstein was banned from X after sharing the document.

- Musk's support for Trump has become more pronounced, including public appearances at rallies.

- Klippenstein criticized Musk for exerting political influence over information sharing.

- Musk has funded a political action committee to support Trump's campaign efforts.

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By @jfoster - 6 months
> X responded by blocking links to the material, claiming that it contained sensitive personal information such as the Ohio US senator’s social security number, and banned Klippenstein from the platform.

That seems like a crucial detail that Guardian could have verified. Is it possible that they know the validity of that claim but chose not to mention it in the article?

By @peutetre - 6 months
Silly rabbit. It's free speech for me, not for thee.