Twitter technical issues crash Ron DeSantis' announcement of his 2024 campaign

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had planned an exciting announcement for his 2024 presidential campaign, joining forces with Elon Musk on a Twitter Space. However, as fate would have it, Twitter encountered unexpected obstacles.

The much-anticipated live group voice chat commenced at 3 p.m. PDT but was plagued by audio glitches and intermittent disruptions. Listeners were greeted with a disconcerting mix of reverb noises and distorted speech as the hosts scrambled to identify the source of the problem. Despite the technical hiccups, the dysfunctional Twitter Space managed to draw an impressive audience of 580,000, hosted by David Sacks, a venture capitalist and Musk's ally. Unfortunately, Twitter has been grappling with technical issues since Musk's takeover last year, which resulted in significant staff reductions and budget cuts.

By 3:30 p.m. PDT, an alternate Twitter Space featuring a live stream of Ron DeSantis was up and running, although it attracted only a fraction of the initial announcement's listener base. Nevertheless, DeSantis seized the moment to kickstart his campaign, declaring, "I am running for president of the United States to lead our great American comeback."

Describing the Twitter Space as "probably the biggest room that has ever been assembled online," Sacks highlighted the significant presence of listeners during the ill-fated campaign kickoff. While it didn't reach the scale of some colossal virtual gatherings on platforms like Fortnite, it undoubtedly captured the attention of a considerable audience.

Once the second stream was established, DeSantis launched into a passionate speech that set a somber tone for his campaign, echoing former President Trump's divisive inaugural address. He used the word "carnage" to depict the violence plaguing cities like Baltimore and Chicago, asserting, "We know our country's going in the wrong direction—we see it with our eyes and feel it in our bones."

DeSantis's campaign launch alongside Musk showcased their shared viewpoints, as both have publicly criticized the "woke" culture. The governor deviated from traditional routes, such as Fox News, opting for an announcement with Musk on Twitter. However, this unconventional decision came at a cost. Wednesday's significant moment was marred by predictable technical difficulties, leaving a lasting impression on DeSantis's supporters and critics alike.