Elon's social posts have had a 'sudden boost' since July, new research reveals

Research indicates that Elon Musk's social media engagement on X (formerly Twitter) has surged significantly since July 2024, particularly following his endorsement of Donald Trump. Musk's posts have seen a 138% increase in views, 238% in retweets, and 186% in likes, outpacing other political accounts which experienced more moderate growth. This spike raises concerns about potential algorithmic manipulation favoring Musk's content, especially as he has a history of adjusting X's algorithms to enhance his visibility. The study compared Musk's engagement metrics with various political figures, revealing that conservative accounts have gained more visibility than their progressive counterparts since July. The research highlights the challenges in assessing the platform's algorithm due to limited access for researchers and suggests that Musk's ownership may be reinforcing his political agenda. His financial support for Trump, including over $100 million to a political action committee, and initiatives like incentivizing voter registration, further complicate the narrative of neutrality in social media. The findings call for a reevaluation of how social media platforms are regulated, given their significant influence on public discourse and political outcomes.

- Elon Musk's social media engagement has significantly increased since July 2024.

- His posts on X have outperformed other political accounts in terms of views, retweets, and likes.

- Concerns arise over potential algorithmic manipulation favoring Musk's content.

- Conservative accounts have gained more visibility compared to progressive ones on the platform.

- The findings suggest a need for reevaluation of social media regulation and its impact on political discourse.