A post shared to X claims that X owner Elon Musk changed an animation feature linked to the platform’s like button to promote Donald Trump during the election.

🚨BREAKING: Elon has officially changed the like icon to promote Donald Trump during the elections! If you’re in support, like and retweet this to show your stance!#Election2024 #Trump #Kamala #FightForAmerica #ElectionDay #USElection2024 #USAElection2024 #ElonMusk2024#electio pic.twitter.com/q6Ilpz0y5F

— hermano sisi (@VivienteMe18581) November 5, 2024

Verdict: Misleading

X does have a feature to add animation to the like button with relevant hashtags, including an election-related feature. However, it was only implemented on certain posts and was not specific to Trump.

Fact Check:

Social media users were showing a video of them liking election-related posts on X and triggering the patriotic themed animation. One user declared that Musk had “officially changed the like icon to promote Donald Trump during the elections” and called on others to “like and retweet” if they are “in support.” The post included relevant tags such as “#Election2024,” “#Trump,” “#Kamala” and “#ElonMusk2024.”

In a X business blog post about Branded Features, the feature is activated for individual posts and is intended to help brands advertise and engage with their audiences and is not a permanent change to X’s like button across the platform.

Hashmojis, which designs the custom like animations, advertised the patriotic feature on Oct. 31, saying it would be available to link with a number of election-related tags through Nov. 6. It was promoted again on Nov. 4, noting that the feature was only available in the US amid the election.

Musk has formed a close bond with Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election, including an endorsement from the billionaire entrepreneur and an offer to participate in the second Trump administration if the former president was re-elected, according to USA Today.