Special Counsel Delves Deeper into Trump's X Account— Draft Tweet, Direct Messages On Elon Musk-Led Platform Under Scrutiny

Special Counsel Jack Smith has intensified his investigation into former President Donald Trump by seeking access to his direct messages, draft tweets, and location data on X, the platform previously known as Twitter.

What Happened: Court records unsealed recently provide insights into the scope of the investigation. In January, prosecutors obtained a court-approved subpoena for records related to Trump’s account on X, reported The Hill.

This move was met with resistance from the platform, especially after the Justice Department requested that Trump not be informed about the subpoena. X’s reluctance resulted in a fine of $350,000. The company also expressed concerns that some of Trump’s direct messages might be protected by executive privilege, especially if they pertained to official state matters.

The records also reveal that Smith sought information on tweets that Trump might have drafted and then deleted, as well as any searches related to the account. Notably, much of this information hasn’t been mentioned in the recent indictment against Trump, which primarily references his public tweets.

During the court hearings, U.S. District Court Chief Judge Beryl Howell questioned if X’s resistance was influenced by its CEO, Elon Musk, attempting to align with Trump. The transcripts also highlight the prosecutors’ frustration with X’s reluctance to provide the subpoenaed materials.

See Also: Trump To Surrender Next Week In Georgia, Have Mugshot And Fingerprints Taken

Why It Matters: The legal battle between the special counsel’s office and X underscores the broader investigation into Trump’s actions and communications. The inquiry into Trump’s conduct, especially after his 2020 electoral loss, has been extensive. Trump’s reactions to these investigations, often shared on his new platform Truth Social, reflect his stance that these probes are politically motivated.

Trump is currently facing legal challenges related to allegations of mishandling sensitive government documents at his Mar-a-Lago estate.

The case, which involves the unlawful retention and movement of these documents, is spearheaded by Special Counsel Jack Smith. As Trump faces mounting charges, he remains defiant, dismissing the investigations as politically motivated while setting his sights on a 2024 presidential run.

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