Florida Governor Ron DeSantis was scheduled to announce his 2024 presidential campaign in a Twitter Space alongside Elon Musk, but the social media platform had other plans. As the livestreamed voice chat went live at 3 p.m. PDT, technical difficulties plagued the event. The audio experienced glitches and distorted speech, leaving the hosts scrambling to identify the source of the problem. Despite the issues, the dysfunctional Twitter Space attracted 580,000 listeners.
Twitter has been grappling with technical problems since Elon Musk took over the platform last year, resulting in staff reductions and cost-cutting measures.
An alternative Twitter Space featuring a live Ron DeSantis was established by 3:30 p.m. PDT, but it only managed to attract a fraction of the original audience. In this new space, DeSantis seized his moment for the campaign kickoff, albeit with a reduced listener base. DeSantis confidently declared, “I am running for president of the United States to lead our great American comeback.”
David Sacks, the host of the Twitter Space, hailed it as “probably the biggest room that has ever been assembled online.” While the event garnered significant attention, it did not surpass the attendance of larger virtual gatherings on platforms like Fortnite. Nevertheless, many listeners were present for the ill-fated campaign announcement.
During his speech, DeSantis adopted a divisive tone reminiscent of former President Trump’s inaugural address. He painted a grim picture of the country, using words like “carnage” to describe violence in cities like Baltimore and Chicago. DeSantis criticized the state of the nation, highlighting issues such as drug trafficking, rising crime rates, and the challenges faced by average families.
Choosing to kick off his campaign alongside Elon Musk showcased DeSantis’ alignment with the tech entrepreneur. Musk, who also disapproves of “woke” culture, had previously expressed support for DeSantis’ presidential aspirations. By opting for Twitter over more traditional routes like Fox News, DeSantis took a unique approach to his campaign announcement. However, the technical difficulties that marred the event highlighted the pitfalls of such a decision, leaving a lasting impression on both supporters and critics.
