Trump, Musk and the use of social media to recalibrate the West

The Trump administration has never played by conventional rules. Its strategies are bold, calculated, and often misunderstood by critics who focus on personality rather than policy. What we are witnessing now—through the use of social media giants like X, economic tools such as tariffs, and the championing of global free speech norms—is nothing less than a sophisticated recalibration of Western power. This is not merely about reshaping domestic politics but about undermining left-wing authoritarian leaders across the West, countering China’s growing influence, and reasserting Western dominance in the face of rising global challenges.

Social media has become the 21st-century battleground for political influence, and platforms like X are at the center of this fight. Under Elon Musk’s leadership, X has transitioned from a tool of progressive dominance to a platform that amplifies free speech, exposes authoritarian tendencies, and challenges left-wing orthodoxy. These efforts have no doubt dragged the likes of Mark Zuckerberg and Meta to the table, with Meta announcing updated moderation policies allegedly in favour of more open dialogue. Musk’s alignment with U.S. geopolitical objectives is no accident; X has become a cornerstone of a broader strategy to realign Western democracies and create a unified front against adversaries like China and BRICS.

A striking example of this strategy unfolded in Argentina. In 2023, Argentina was on the brink of joining BRICS+, a Chinese-Russian-led economic bloc that directly challenges Western dominance. With Brazil already a member, Argentina’s inclusion would have shifted the balance of power in South America, a region of strategic importance to the United States.

Enter Javier Milei, the libertarian economist whose viral campaign on X propelled him to the presidency. Tucker Carlson’s interview with Milei on X garnered almost half a billion views, helping catapult Milei’s message to a global audience and energising his campaign. The U.S. saw an opportunity, and X became the platform to amplify Milei’s rise.

Tucker Carlson’s interview with Javier Milei which garnered almost half a billion views on X alone.

Milei’s victory marked a significant geopolitical shift. Within weeks of taking office, he abandoned Argentina’s plans to join BRICS+, handed control of the country’s vast lithium reserves and River access to the United States, and welcomed high-ranking U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Antony Blinken and CIA Director William Burns. The message was clear: Argentina had realigned itself with U.S. interests, and X played a critical role in making it happen.

This modern version of the Monroe Doctrine extends far beyond South America. It represents a comprehensive effort to repel Chinese influence globally and recalibrate Western democracies to align with U.S. values. Unlike the original Monroe Doctrine, which relied on military power to keep European influence out of the Americas, the updated version employs technology, economic pressure, and ideological influence.

Social media platforms like X and now Meta are integral to this strategy. They enable the U.S. to shape narratives, challenge authoritarian regimes, and undermine left-wing governments that hinder Western hegemony. In Brazil, X was temporarily banned nationwide during a dispute over election interference, highlighting the platform’s power to sway political outcomes. Similarly, in Venezuela, Musk’s X stripped recently re-elected President Nicolás Maduro of his verification badge, signaling disapproval of his regime.

Meta, under Mark Zuckerberg’s leadership, has also embraced more pro-free speech content moderation, signaling a shift in alignment with U.S. strategies promoting global free discourse. This new direction, which includes less restrictive policies on political content, could have far-reaching implications for countries like Australia, where left-leaning governments have sought to regulate speech under the guise of combating misinformation.

Mark Zuckerberg outlines his plans to team up with Donald Trump and “push back” against what he called the EU's “ever increasing number of laws institutionalising censorship”.

Adding to this dynamic, TikTok’s potential acquisition by Elon Musk would further consolidate control of major social media platforms under leaders who prioritise free speech, amplifying their ability to shape global narratives and influence political landscapes.

The emphasis on free speech is not just ideological—it’s strategic. By promoting global free speech norms, the U.S. is countering the authoritarian tendencies of both left-wing Western leaders and adversaries like China. This push for free speech is particularly evident in Australia, where the Albanese government’s now defeated Misinformation Bill became a focal point of resistance.

The Misinformation Bill, which threatened to suppress free speech under the guise of combating “misinformation,” drew international criticism as a dangerous overreach, including severe criticism from Musk himself. Musk’s X provided a platform for prominent Australian voices to challenge the Australian government’s agenda, leading to the Misinformation Bill’s stunning defeat in the Senate while fostering a growing opposition to the left-wing Albanese Labor Government. Bolstered by the Trump administration’s resurgence and Musk’s expanding global influence through X, Conservative Coalition leader Peter Dutton is now well-positioned to become Australia’s next Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s preemptive warning to Elon Musk not to engage in Australia’s upcoming federal election underscores the government’s acute awareness of the broader geopolitical battle for influence being waged through major social media platforms. Albanese making a concerted effort to highlight Australia’s foreign interference laws, which were originally designed to counter Chinese Communist Party involvement in politics, reflects a deep-seated fear of Musk’s potential to amplify opposition to the left-wing Labor government’s agenda.

Albanese appears to be acutely aware of Musk’s ability to reshape political narratives on a global scale. With Musk’s X becoming a powerful tool for exposing left-wing overreach and bolstering conservative movements, there is a real fear this could catalyse growing opposition to Labor’s policies.

The fear is clear: X, and possibly Meta and Tiktok will be used to challenge leftist orthodoxy and amplify alternative viewpoints, disrupting Labor’s control over the political landscape, particularly as Opposition Leader Peter Dutton positions himself as a viable alternative.

Australia is not the only target. In the United Kingdom, Musk’s X has amplified criticism of Labour leader Keir Starmer, focusing on his handling of the Pakistani Rape Gangs who preyed on British Children, only for these heinous crimes to be covered up by the progressive power structures running the UK. The platform’s role in shaping public sentiment is undeniable, and Starmer’s political future looks increasingly precarious.

Musk takes aim at Keir Starmer’s lack of action regarding Pakistani Rape Gangs.

While social media is a key tool, it is not the only weapon in the U.S. arsenal. The Trump administration’s threats of tariffs and economic pressure has been equally effective in dismantling left-wing regimes. Canada’s Justin Trudeau, for example, capitulated under the weight of U.S. economic leverage, demonstrating how strategic economic tools can force political concessions. Pat Buchanan would be proud.

This economic strategy is part of a broader effort to create a cohesive Western bloc capable of countering China’s growing influence. The recalibration of the West involves not just removing harmful left-wing leaders but also strengthening the foundations of Western democracies through economic growth and ideological alignment.

The ultimate goal is clear: to create a unified Western bloc that values free speech, economic growth, and resilience against authoritarianism. This recalibration is about more than removing individual leaders—it’s about ensuring that Western democracies remain competitive and ideologically aligned in a rapidly changing global landscape.

Critics argue that figures like Musk and Trump are driven by personal ambition, but the results speak for themselves. The dismantling of progressive regimes and the promotion of free speech as a global norm are reshaping the political landscape of the West.

However, this shift is not without risks. Social media platforms have become privatised intelligence tools, capable of bypassing constitutional protections against surveillance and control.

The stakes are high, and the consequences are far-reaching. If progressive leaders across the West continue to push for greater control over speech and behavior, they will find themselves outmaneuvered by a coalition that values liberty and resilience. The Trump administration’s use of social media, tariffs, and free speech norms is laying the groundwork for a more cohesive and competitive West.

This recalibration is about more than any single leader or platform—it’s about creating a resilient, ideologically aligned bloc that can withstand the challenges of the 21st century. The message for Western democracies is clear: adapt to this new reality or face irrelevance in a world increasingly defined by competition between leftist authoritarian ideals or right wing pro-western values.

The Trump administration’s strategy is bold, effective, and unapologetic. It has ushered in a new era of geopolitical competition, where social media, economic leverage, and ideological influence are the primary tools of power. The question is not whether this recalibration will succeed but how far it will go—and what it will mean for the future of Western democracy.