A Federal High Court in Abuja has granted applications filed by the police to remand 124 arrested #EndBadGovernance protesters for 60 days pending the conclusion of investigation.
Justice Emeka Nwite, in separate rulings on ex-parte motions moved by Ibrahim Mohammed, counsel for the Inspector-General (I-G) of Police, granted the interim order to remand the suspects until conclusion of investigation.
Justice Nwite equally ordered that the suspects, who are minors in the applications be remanded in Borstal Home of the correctional centre pending the conclusion of investigation.
In the first motion ex-parte marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/1154/2024 moved by Mohammed on Aug 14 but a certified true copy (CTC) of the order, the judge directed that the suspects be remanded for 60 days pending the conclusion of investigation and legal advice from the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
The suspects were alleged to have committed offences of acts of terrorism, treason, and treasonable felonies, arson and terrorism.
The police said the offence was contrary to Sections 2(1) and (3), 24 and 26 of the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022; Sections 41 and 42 of the Criminal Code Act; Sections 410, 411, 412 Penal Code Act and Section 4 of the Miscellaneous Offences Act CAP M17 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004 and other enabling statutes.
What would have resulted in the removal of the Alimosho Local Government chairman, Jelili Suleimon, was on Monday prevented by the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Mudashiru Obasa.
Lawmakers had suggested on the floor of the House that the council chairman be removed or suspended for ‘stubbornly disrespecting’ the House and refusing to obey its resolutions concerning toll collections in the Iyana-Ipaja area of Alimosho.
One person had been killed on April 16, 2024, when fracas occurred in Iyana-Ipaja over allegations that council chairman forcefully withdrew the collection of revenues from Abiodun Ejigbadero and handed same to a man allegedly loyal to him.
After what a member of the House, Hon. Sa’ad Olumoh, described as a painstaking two months investigation in which all parties to the issue were invited, the Assembly directed Jelili to return Ejigbadero, who was able to present all the vital documents requested during the inquiries.
However, the lawmakers surprisingly received a letter from the secretary to the Alimosho Local Government council, Dare Ogunkoya, stating that the chairman cannot obey the resolutions of the House concerning the matter.
The letter read by the Clerk of the House, Barr. Olalekan Onafeko, said any action by the council chairman on the resolutions of the House would be contentious.
Reacting to the letter, Hon. Sanni Okanlawon, who chaired the committee that investigated the crisis, described Jelili as a stubborn chairman who would go any length to debase the House.
He recalled that in resolving the matter, the committee invited all the stakeholders including Jelili, who the committee discovered to be the cause of the mayhem.
Okanlawon said while Jelili could not provide any documents, Ejigbadero produced all documents to prove his position as toll collector in the place.
According to Okanlawon, Jelili had remained “defiant and, to say the least, this is an affront against the House that had resolved the issue.”
He urged the House to invoke the right section of the law against the council chairman as a deterrent.
In his contribution, Majority Leader Noheem Adams, said the letter by Ogunkoya undermines the authority of the House which sought peace in the affected area.
Deputy Majority Leader Adedamola Kasunmu told his colleagues, “I can attest to his (Jelili’s) stubbornness. He has shown incompetence and irresponsibility. For us to avert further loss of lives, it is good that he is either immediately removed or suspended.”
In their individual contributions, the two lawmakers from Alimosho, Hon. Kehinde Joseph and Luqman Orelope, pleaded with the House for leniency on the council chairman.
The duo expressed surprise that the council could disobey the House in such a manner, while Joseph urged that the chairman could be suspended instead of an outright removal.
While noting all the contributions, Dr. Obasa wondered why Alimosho is always enmeshed in crises adding that the resolution by the House was to ensure peace in the community.
Pacifying the lawmakers, Dr. Obasa said the chairman should be given the benefit of doubt since the letter was not directly written by him and, as such, he could claim ignorance.
He, therefore, directed the Clerk to resend the resolutions of the House to the council chairman, the Local Government Service Commission and other top officials of the Alimosho Local Government council.
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
Fidelity Bank Plc complies with the highest corporate governance standards as the leading commercial bank adheres promptly to all full disclosure requirements and global best practices.
Fidelity Bank is awarded CG+, the highest rank under the Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS), which screens quoted companies against prescribed best practices and standards.
A review of the latest compliance report showed that Fidelity Bank sustains its highest-ranking rating of CG+, with shareholders and market pundits commending the high corporate standards of the bank.
Head, Listings Regulation Department, NGX Regulation (NGXRegco), Mr. Godstime Iwenekhai, explained that the CGRS was designed to strengthen the governance structures of listed companies and provide a valid basis for discerning investors to differentiate between listed companies on the basis of their compliance with acceptable standards of corporate governance.
“In our view, corporate governance promotes ethical business practices, transparency and fair competition,” Iwenekhai said.
He pointed out that the special character combination “CG+” underlined compliance with best practices and highest corporate governance standards, which entitle the rated companies to special privileges at the stock market.
Corporate governance compliance at the stock market includes prompt submission of detailed operational results from period to period as required by the market rules, full disclosures of all material and regulated information and accurate rendition of reports and accounts.
Also, compliance includes ensuring that the company’s shares are not encumbered in a way that impinges on free float or number of shares available to the general investing public for efficient price discovery, compliance with all investor-protection safeguards in communication with shareholders and organizing statutory meetings as required among others.
The Nigerian Exchange (NGX) noted that the compliance tracker was aimed at maintaining market integrity and protecting the investors, noting that listed companies are required to adhere to high disclosure standards.
“Financial information which is periodic disclosure and on-going material events disclosure should be released to NGX in a timely manner to enable it efficiently perform its function of maintaining an orderly market,” NGX stated, referencing some of the criteria for its corporate governance rating.
Market experts and shareholders agreed that corporate governance compliance is a major factor in deciding on investing in a public and the safety of such investment.
Managing Director, Arthur Steven Asset Management, Mr. Olatunde Amolegbe, said corporate governance compliance rating is “extremely important” as it indicates to the investing public the quality of compliance of a company to listing requirements.
“As you know, stock prices are driven primarily by available information and the NGX has a minimum level of disclosure expected of quoted companies. This disclosure helps the public make qualitative decisions as to the state or performance of the companies they are seeking to invest in. These markers are therefore the initial indicators as to whether the companies are meeting their disclosures and other regulatory obligations or not,” Amolegbe, a former president of Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), said.
Managing Director, APT Securities & Funds, Mallam Garba Kurfi, said the corporate governance rating “shows the extent companies are in compliance with corporate governance”.
“High rating means very good in doing the right thing timely while low rating discourages foreign investors from investing in such companies,” Kurfi, a leading market operator and member of the board of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), said.
Managing Director, HighCap Securities, Mr David Adonri, noted that “CG+ means excellent corporate governance rating”.
“When a company is organised and upholds good corporate governance, the benefit to stakeholders is maximized,” Adonri said.
Investors said its high corporate governance was one of the compelling reasons they chose to invest in Fidelity Bank.
President, Association for the Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders (AARNS), Dr. Faruk Umar said Fidelity Bank has a very good corporate governance structure that reassures investors of the safety of their investments.
According to him, while the bank has a good succession plan, the calibre of the independent non-executive directors on the board gives shareholders strong confidence of the kind of board oversight they will be expecting.
National Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN), Mr. Moses Igbrude, said Fidelity Bank’s impressive performance over the years had been built on good corporate governance.
“My appeal to the board is to continue to imbibe good corporate governance in order to sustain this growth,” Igbrude said.
National Coordinator, Pragmatic Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mrs. Bisi Bakare, said Fidelity Bank has created a “very excellent impression” in the minds of shareholders.
According to her, the bank has continually showcased exemplary leadership with continuous impressive results, with successive growths over the past five years.
“Fidelity Bank is a very good bank that shareholders are very happy with their investments and we have never regretted buying into Fidelity Bank,” Bakare said.
National Coordinator, Progressive Shareholders Association of Nigeria, Mr. Boniface Okezie said good corporate governance was the cornerstone of Fidelity Bank’s sustained growth and impressive returns over the years.
“Fidelity Bank remains one of the best stocks that investors should look forward to investing in for better returns. I’m very optimistic about the bank’s healthy strong assets. With its good corporate governance and excellent customers’ service, there is every reason to hope for a more promising future,” Okezie said.
The NGX tags defaulting companies for poor corporate governance and also applies various monetary and non-monetary sanctions, including fines ranging between N100,000 to N100 million, partial or full suspension of trading, naming and shaming with a red alert tag and compulsory delisting in extreme cases.
FirstBank, the West African premier financial institution and financial inclusion services provider is proud to announce its 2024 Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability (CR&S) Week, scheduled for 19 to 24 August. This year’s edition aims to reinforce the bank’s positive outcomes of sowing seeds of kindness by empowering the lives of communities, and minimizing the environmental impact environment, while advancing the Bank’s contribution to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The CR&S Week is a dedicated week that offers opportunities for employees of the FirstBank Group (FirstBank Nigeria, FirstBank UK, FirstBank Gambia, FirstBank Sierra-Leone, FirstBank DRC, FirstBank Guinea, FirstBank Ghana, FBNBank Senegal; First Pension and First Nominees) to give their time & resources to defined causes in line with the Bank’s CR&S strategic approach.
Now in its eighth year, the FirstBank Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Week is a week reserved by the Bank for the demonstration of kindness being a fundamental philosophy of the Bank, as the Bank and its employees “Start Performing Acts of Random Kindness” (SPARK) the value-based initiative in alignment with the ethos of compassion, civility, and charity. During the 2023 CR&S Week, 8 countries participated with over 80 charities/NGOs and 30,000 lives impacted.
The 2024 CR&S is envisioned to be an eventful week of impact, sowing the seed of kindness through the following initiatives/activities:
Tree Planting- FirstBank will plant 30,000 trees across Nigeria, furthering its commitment to plant 50,000 trees by 2025 in partnership with the Nigeria Conservation Foundation (NCF).
Women Empowerment- The bank will support Jigawa and Plateau States by driving awareness, performing surgeries, and providing post-care kits for those living with Vesicovaginal Fistula (VVF).
Visitation for Charity- FirstBank will visit orphanage homes, IDP camps, and other charities across Nigeria, SSA markets, and the UK, demonstrating kindness and empowering those at the bottom of the pyramid.
Kind Comment- Staff and management will share kind comments throughout the week, promoting a culture of compassion and civility across the bank.
Woven into the fabric of the society since over 130 years and enabling success in our customers and communities, these initiatives epitomize FirstBank’s care for the environment and humanity, aligning with the Bank’s sustainability strategic pillars and support for the Green Recovery Nigeria
Folake Ani-Mumuney, Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications FirstBank, said “At FirstBank, we remain committed to creating a positive impact in the lives of our customers and the communities we serve. Our 2024 CR&S Week is a testament to this dedication, and we are excited to amplify our efforts in enabling the Giants in the lives of our communities and enhance sustainable development and community growth.”
As we celebrate the FirstBank’s Corporate Responsibility & Sustainability week, we invite all to embrace the spirit of kindness as we come together this special occasion to weave kindness into the fabric of our daily lives, leaving a lasting impact on one another,” she concluded.
About FirstBank First Bank of Nigeria Limited “FirstBank”, established in 1894, is the premier bank in West Africa, a leading financial inclusion services provider in Africa, and a digital banking giant.
FirstBank’s international footprints cut across three continents ─ Africa, Europe, and Asia, with FirstBank UK Limited in London and Paris; FirstBank in The Democratic Republic of Congo, Ghana, The Gambia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone; FBNBank in Senegal; and a FirstBank Representative Office in Beijing, China. All the subsidiary banks are fully registered by their respective Central Banks to provide full banking services. Besides providing domestic banking services, the subsidiaries also engage in international cross-border transactions with FirstBank’s non-Nigerian subsidiaries, and the representative offices in Paris and China facilitate trade flows from Asia and Europe into Nigeria and other African countries. For 130 years, FirstBank has built an outstanding reputation for solid relationships, good corporate governance, and a strong liquidity position, and has been at the forefront of promoting digital payment in the country with over 13 million cards issued to customers (the first bank to achieve such a milestone in Nigeria). FirstBank has continued to make significant investments in technology, innovation and transformation, and its cashless transaction drive has been steadily accentuated with virtually 23 million active FirstBank customers signed up on digital channels including the USSD Quick Banking service through the nationally renowned *894# Banking code.
With over 42 million customer accounts (including digital wallets) spread across Nigeria, UK and sub-Saharan Africa, the Bank provides a comprehensive range of retail and wholesale financial services through more than 820 business offices and over 233,500 agent locations spread across 772 out of the 774 Local Government Areas in Nigeria. In addition to banking solutions and services, FirstBank provides pension fund custody services in Nigeria through First Pension Custodian Nigeria Limited and nominee and associated services through First Nominees Nigeria Limited.
FirstBank’s commitment to Diversity is shown in its policies, partnerships and initiatives such as its employees’ ratio of female to male (about 39%:61%; and 32% women in management) as well as the FirstBank Women Network, an initiative that seeks to address the gender gap and increase the participation of women at all levels within the organisation. In addition, the Bank’s membership of the UN Women is an affirmation of a deliberate policy that is consistent with UN Women’s Women Empowerment’s Principles (WEPs) ─ Equal Opportunity, Inclusion, and Nondiscrimination.
For six consecutive years (2011 – 2016), FirstBank was named “Most Valuable Bank Brand in Nigeria” by the globally renowned The Banker Magazine of the Financial Times Group and “Best Retail Bank in Nigeria” eight times in a row, 2011 – 2018, by the Asian Banker International Excellence in Retail Financial Services Awards. In 2022, the Top 100 African Bank rankings released by The Banker Magazine ranked FirstBank as number one in Nigeria in terms of Overall Performance, Profitability, Efficiency and Return on Risk. Also in 2022, the Bank received the “Most Innovative Retail Banking Product in Nigeria (FastTrack ATM)” and “Best Retail Bank in Nigeria” awards from International Finance Magazine. FirstBank was also awarded “Best Corporate Banking Western Africa, 2022” and “Best CSR Bank Western Africa, 2022’’ by Global Banking and Finance Magazine. Other notable awards in FirstBank coffers include: “Best Bank in Nigeria” by Global Finance magazine – fifteen times in a row; “Best Private Bank in Nigeria-2021” awarded by Global Finance magazine; “Best Internet Banking Nigeria” and ‘’Best CSR Bank Africa’’ by International Business Magazine. In 2023, FirstBank received notable awards including “Best Private Bank for Sustainable Investing in Africa 2023” by Global Finance Awards; “Best Sustainable Bank in Nigeria 2023” by International Investors Awards; “Best Bespoke Banking Services in Nigeria 2023” by International Investors Awards; “Best Financial Inclusion Service Provider in Nigeria 2023” by Digital Banker Africa; and “African Bank of the Year” by African Leadership Magazine; ’’Best Corporate Bank in Nigeria 2023’’ by Euromoney Awards and ‘’Most Innovative Banking Brand – Nigeria 2023’’ by Global Brands Award. Other laudable feats in 2023 include FirstBank’s international recognitions on major indices by Euromoney Market Leaders, an independent global assessment of the leading financial service providers where FirstBank was crowned: Market Leader: (tier-1 recognition) in Corporate Banking, Market Leader: (tier -1 recognition) in Digital Solutions, Highly Regarded: Corporate and Social Responsibility (CSR), Highly Regarded: Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG), Notable: in SME Banking. Significantly, FirstBank’s Global Credit Rating was A+ with a positive outlook while ratings by Fitch and Standard & Poor’s were A (nga) and ngBBB+ respectively both with Stable outlooks as at September 2023. FirstBank maintained the same level of international credit ratings as the sovereign; a milestone that was achieved in 2022 for the first time since 2015. Our vision is ‘To be Africa’s Bank of first choice’ and our mission is ‘To remain true to our name by providing the best financial services possible. This commitment is anchored on our core values of EPIC – Entrepreneurship, Professionalism, Innovation and Customer-Centricity. Our strategic ambition is ‘To deliver accelerated growth in profitability through customer-led innovation and disciplined execution and our brand promise is always to deliver the ultimate “gold standard” of value and excellence to position You First in every respect.
Folake Ani-Mumuney Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications First Bank of Nigeria Limited
South African Dricus du Plessis defended his UFC middleweight title on Sunday after a fourth-round submission win over bitter rival Israel Adesanya in a blockbuster bout at Perth Arena.
In the main event of UFC 305, du Plessis appeared to be flagging against the two-time former champion before a spectacular takedown of Adesanya solidified his 185-pound belt.
Du Plessis (22-2) has now won 10 fights in a row, having originally claimed the belt after beating polarising Sean Strickland in January.
“I came in here to die for this belt,” du Plessis said. “I came here to take it home. Here I am, still the champion.”
At a sold-out 15,000 Perth Arena, Adesanya (24-4) enjoyed significant crowd support and seemed to have an edge for much of the fight until he was helpless against du Plessis’ rear-naked choke.
“I’m disappointed, but at the same time I’m proud because this is the best I’ve felt and looked,” said the Nigeria-born New Zealander, who made his return after a shock defeat to Strickland in September last year.
“I just had the better man on the night and I’ll give him respect for that.”
Du Plessis was accompanied into the Octagon by South Africa rugby captain Siya Kolisi and second-rower Eben Etzebeth, with his country’s national anthem thundering around the venue.
There was much anticipation over the bout after the fighters had engaged in a war of words in the build-up.
They were meant to fight in Sydney last year, but du Plessis was unavailable due to injury.
It was a measured start amid a febrile atmosphere with the taller Adesanya, a former kickboxer, using his longer reach to fend off the aggression of Du Plessis.
Adesanya aimed to counterstrike and he utilised his favoured kicks to deadly effect, as Du Plessis emerged bloodied on his forehead.
Du Plessis unleashed a powerful left-handed punch late in the first round and his momentum continued in the next when he landed a big takedown and had control on Adesanya’s back.
But he could not lock in a submission as Adesanya worked his way back into the fight with grappling.
Adesanya’s strategy of wearing down Du Plessis appeared to take effect by the fourth round as he landed cleaner punches.
But Du Plessis mustered energy and a rattling blow wobbled Adesanya as the South African soon emerged triumphant.
Also on the main card, Kai Kara-France stunned the partisan crowd by pummelling Australian Steve Erceg in a first round-knockout in the flyweight.
The New Zealander was in an aggressive mood and twice dropped a hapless Erceg with a flurry of powerful punches.
“I knew Steve was going to be crafty and smart, so I had to set it up… and be smart and that’s when I went for the finish,” said the 31-year-old Kara-France.
In the heavyweight bout, Jairzinho Rozenstruik of Suriname beat Australian Tai Tuivasa by split decision.
Director General, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Brigadier General Yushau Ahmed, has said that 54 corps members from University of Calabar (UNICAL) have been demobilised and will be prosecuted by the NYSC management.
Ahmed in a statement by Director, Information and Public Relations of the service, Eddy Megwavowed, vowed that all illegally mobilised corps members from the university would be prosecuted.
He said 19 among them who initially registered online for mobilisation had been prevented from service, while four Certificates of National Service for other culprits were not produced by the scheme.
This is coming on the back of 101 certificates that were recently voided by the scheme, making it 178.
Ahmed commemded the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar, Professor Florence Obi for her forthrightness to have earlier hinted the scheme on the mobilisation of unqualified graduates from her institution.
He insisted that the scheme would leave no stone unturned in sanitising its mobilisation process.
“The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Calabar came here to report that she observed some names appeared on the institution’s list and they ought not to have been there.
“She checked the list the school gave us and I told her that their certificates would be invalidated.
Ahmed reiterated that the Scheme would intensify its collaboration with all the Heads of Corps Producing Institutions and relevant stakeholders in the country in order to stop the menace.
“Previously, a bread seller was mobilized on the graduation list from the same institution. There are bad eggs in many places that generate matriculation numbers and courses for their candidates,” Ahmed said.
He added that any failure in the mobilisation process from any school falls on the integrity of the management of such institution.
“Those who are responsible for imputing the data of graduates should be people of integrity,” he said.
He called on all employers of labour in the country to verify the authenticity of Certificates of National Service being presented for job placement from the NYSC.
A Federal High Court in Abuja has refused an application for a stay of further proceedings in a suit challenging the decision of the River state government to conduct a local government election in October.
Justice Peter Lifu, in a ruling on Thursday, August 15, dismissed the oral application for a stay of proceedings made by defendants in the suit, marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/987/2024 filed by the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Justice Lifu held that since none of the defendants filed before the court either an application for a stay of proceedings or an application for a stay of execution of their court’s earlier interim injunction, the court couldn’t stay proceedings.
The judge added that seeking a stay proceedings without allowing the court to determine if the suit is a pre-election matter or not is premature.
He held that it was proper for the court to proceed with the hearing of the case because parties to the suit have filed their several preliminary objections and have joined issues.
The judge said in the absence of a motion for stay and a motion challenging jurisdiction, all processes having been filed, the court is minded to proceed with the hearing of the substantive suit.
Justice Lifu also dismissed the application filed by members of the state executive of the APC in Rivers seeking to be made parties to the case.
The judge said: “Joining the parties seeking to be joined will be superfluous because they are card-carrying members of the plaintiff (APC).
“Its involvement in the suit covers all its members. The application for joinder fails for lack of merit and it is dismissed.”
Upon the application for adjournment by lawyers to the defendants, which was not opposed by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Joseph Daudu (SAN), Justice Lifu adjourned till August 29 for further hearing.
Defendants in the case are the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Rivers State Electoral Commission (RSIEC), the Attorney General of Rivers State, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The APC is contending, in the substantive suit, that the RSIEC failed to fulfil legal requirements to conduct the local government election, which it scheduled for October 15.
The party argued that while RSIEC is legally bound to use the voter register compiled and kept by INEC for conducting local government elections in Rivers State, it failed to give a 360-day notice to INEC before the election date.
In a supporting affidavit, Tony Okocha, described as the acting Chairman of Rivers APC, said the suit was filed because the RSIEC allegedly failed to comply strictly with the provisions of the Electoral Act in respect of the management of the register of voters which it intends to release to Rivers electoral body for local government elections in breach and violation of the provisions of the 1999 Constitution and the Electoral Act.
Okocha stated that it is only the voter register compiled, maintained, updated, and kept in the custody of INEC that RSIEC can obtain and use to conduct local government polls as RSIEC is not entitled to compile, maintain, update, and keep in its custody any separate voters register.
In a ruling on July 19 on an ex-parte motion by the plaintiff, Justice Lifu issued an order restraining INEC, from releasing voters register to the RSIEC for the conduct of local government elections in the state.
He also restrained the IGP and the DSS from participating or providing security protection for the RSIEC to conduct the election.
The judge ordered parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum and to refrain from any act or take steps in furtherance of the conduct of the election pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.
What was intended to be a triumphant return to social media for Donald Trump turned into a technically flawed evening, as a much anticipated livestreamed conversation between Trump and X owner Elon Musk on Monday was delayed by technical issues.
The conversation, set to be a hallmark moment for Trump on a platform that once played a central role during his presidency, was postponed by 40 minutes due to what Musk later attributed to a cyberattack.
Despite the shaky start, once the dialogue began, it highlighted the growing friendship between the former president and the billionaire tech entrepreneur, with Musk pitching softball questions that allowed Trump to reiterate his well-worn campaign talking points.
The discussion, lasting over two hours on X’s audio livestreaming platform, Spaces, offered little in the way of new information about Trump’s political views.
Instead, it served as a platform for Trump to repeat claims that have become staples of his campaign.
He took the opportunity to attack Vice President Kamala Harris as a “phony,” criticising her and President Joe Biden for their handling of U.S. border security.
Trump also repeated his assertion that the 2020 election was rigged and claimed that the criminal cases against him were orchestrated by the Biden administration to undermine his candidacy.
Additionally, Trump alleged that foreign leaders were intentionally sending criminals to the United States.
Musk, who has been vocal about his contempt for the mainstream media, largely agreed with Trump’s assertions, offering praise and avoiding any challenge to the former president’s claims.
Musk, who acquired Twitter in 2022 and rebranded it as X last year, was clear about the non-adversarial nature of the conversation.
He stated, “I want to emphasise it’s a conversation, and it’s really intended to just get a feel for what Donald Trump is just like in a conversation.”
Towards the end of their discussion, Musk described himself as “moderate, if not moderate, slightly left,” and encouraged listeners who identified similarly to support Trump.
He also distanced himself from a traditional journalistic role, noting that his aim was not to conduct an “adversarial” interview but to help “open-minded, independent voters” simply “catch a vibe.”
The technical difficulties that delayed the conversation recalled similar issues during another political event Musk hosted last year, when glitches marred Ron DeSantis’s presidential campaign announcement on the platform.
While Monday’s conversation drew over a million listeners, according to X, the glitches and delays risked overshadowing the content of the conversation itself.
Trump used the discussion to further his ongoing criticism of Harris, mocking her for not holding a formal news conference and avoiding interviews with journalists.
He contrasted this with his willingness to engage in conversations, framing his discussion with Musk as part of his broader efforts to recapture political momentum and extend his appeal beyond his usual media platforms.
The conversation marked a notable shift in the relationship between Trump and Musk, who had previously been critical of each other.
Musk’s political views have evolved as he grew increasingly frustrated with Democratic policies on transgender rights, immigration, and what he perceives as the Biden administration’s mistreatment of Tesla.
This change culminated in Musk’s endorsement of Trump after the former president survived an
assassination attempt in July.
Musk, who co-founded a super PAC to support Republican ground efforts, has become a significant ally for Trump.
In return, Trump has softened his longstanding criticism of electric vehicles, particularly those produced by Tesla, though he continues to highlight what he sees as their shortcomings.
As Trump returned to X after a prolonged absence, posting campaign videos and attacks on Harris, the conversation with Musk provided a platform for both men to air their grievances and rally their supporters.
However, whether this appearance will bolster Trump’s campaign or Musk’s efforts to restore confidence in X remains to be seen.
A spokesperson for Harris’s campaign, Joseph Costello, was quick to criticise the pair’s discussion,
noting the technical issues and dismissing the conversation as serving only the interests of “self-obsessed rich guys who will sell out the middle class.”
Costello added, “Trump’s entire campaign is in service of people like Elon Musk and himself who cannot run a livestream in the year 2024.”
