The White House has recently extended its online presence by launching accounts on Meta’s Threads service for President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, the first lady, the second gentleman, and the White House itself. This move comes in response to a controversial statement made by Elon Musk on his platform, X. Within just one hour of its debut, President Biden’s Threads account gained a staggering 2 million followers, highlighting the platform’s popularity and potential reach.
Meta initially introduced Threads in July as a direct rival to X, formerly known as Twitter. This development came after Musk made significant modifications to X, which received widespread criticism. Threads saw an overwhelming response, with over 30 million users signing up within hours of its launch. By mid-July, the platform boasted more than 100 million signups. Despite initial indications from Adam Mosseri, head of Meta’s Instagram service, that Threads would not prioritize news and politics, many former Twitter users have migrated to the app to share and stay updated on current events.
Elon Musk caused a firestorm last week when he declared an antisemitic conspiracy theory as “the actual truth” on X, addressing his 163 million listed followers. In addition, he made derogatory comments about “Jewish communities,” accusing them of promoting “anti-white” messaging and views. The Anti-Defamation League and minority groups were specifically called out. The White House swiftly condemned Musk’s statements as “antisemitic rhetoric,” prompting major advertisers like Apple and Disney to pause their spending on X in response.
The White House Response
White House officials have repeatedly expressed their disapproval of Musk’s remarks, urging him to apologize or retract his statements. However, Musk defended himself on Sunday without offering an apology, only asserting, “This past week, there were hundreds of bogus media stories claiming that I am antisemitic […] Nothing could be further from the truth,” on X. In the aftermath of this controversy, the White House’s decision to establish a presence on Threads takes on increased significance.
In a statement provided to CNBC, the White House explained that the launch of the new Threads accounts had been in progress for several weeks, demonstrating a premeditated response to engage with broader online communities. The White House emphasized its commitment to reaching people where they are, recognizing the significance of digital platforms in today’s communication landscape. By extending their presence on Threads, the White House aims to connect with a diverse audience and strengthen its online engagement.
The White House’s expansion onto Meta’s Threads service represents a strategic move to diversify its online presence and engage with a wider audience. In the wake of Elon Musk’s controversial statements on X, the decision to establish official accounts on an alternative platform demonstrates the White House’s commitment to addressing public concerns and maintaining an active online presence. Threads offers a promising platform for political discourse, news sharing, and community engagement, providing an avenue for the White House to communicate directly with millions of potential followers. As digital platforms continue to shape public discourse, the White House’s presence on Threads marks an important step in leveraging these platforms to better connect with the public.
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