Adin Ross, a banned Twitch streamer, gets Donald Trump to appear on a Kick stream. He then gives him a Rolex and they sit in a Cybertruck with a Trumpeted-out version of Elvis' 'Can’t Help Falling in Love'.

Yesterday, Donald Trump, the former president and current Republican candidate for president became a Kick streamer. This was both a sign of the times and an indictment. Trump appeared on Adin Ross' channel for a 90-minute interview that was broadcast live from Trump's Mar-a-Lago Resort. The interview attracted over half a milllion viewers.

What were they talking about? What did they talk about? In Trump's trademark rambling manner, the pair discussed topics ranging from Trump's disastrous performance at the National Association of Black Journalists Convention to a strange lightning round where Ross displayed images of celebrities and world leader, including Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and DPRK supreme ruler Kim Jong Un, as well as Ross and Trump themselves, and asked Trump to sum up each in one word. The former prez failed to adhere to this limit.

Trump said that he heard about Ross from his son, Barron Trump (18), who is a big fan. Trump imitated his son and said, "Dad, Ross is really big. He's also my friend."

It's not surprising that Barron Trump is a Ross enthusiast. Ross, who had 7.2 millions Twitch followers at his peak, has 1,36 million followers now on Kick. He has a special influence over young men, like Barron Trump. Donald Trump is no doubt hoping that his appearance on Ross’ stream will give him an advantage among this demographic at election time.

Ross is a controversial character. To put it mildly, he has been banned from Twitch multiple times for using slurs. He was eventually permanently banned--for "Hateful Conduct"--after livestreaming a Kick chat that was full of antisemitic, racist, and other offensive messages. He also hosted Andrew Tate, a misogynistic YouTuber who is currently facing charges in Romania for rape. Tate may not want him to host him again: Ross might be resentful after Ross revealed that Tate intended to flee Romania in a livestream.

The stream is nearly an hour and half long, and it's too confusing to summarize in its entirety. However, there are some highlights. Trump, for example, praised the "sizzle", of his political opponent, New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio Cortez. He compared her to Eva Peron, in front of Ross, who has struggled with political knowledge.

Ross then presented Trump with a Rolex watch. The billionaire accepted it graciously. All of this happened before Ross asked Trump what could be done to help Ross' friend, rapper Young Thug who is currently facing racketeering charges. "I have a close friend who is currently being treated unfairly by [district lawyer Fani Willis ]... I was just wondering if we could do something to ensure that he is treated fairly, that's it. Trump didn't give Ross a real answer, other than to say that Young Thug "should be treated fairly."

The stream's conclusion is even more impressive. Ross and Trump took a stroll through Mar-a-Lago after wrapping up Trump's rambling evaluation of Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

On their way out, the group encountered Canadian streamer xQc who displayed a custom shirt that featured Trump wearing a barbecue grill. Trump leaned down to get a closer view and said, "I love that." For some reason, the former president told xQc to "Congratulations" as he and Ross left.

Ross then presented Trump with a customised Tesla Cybertruck adorned with the now famous AP photo showing a bloody Trump raising his fist immediately following his assassination try last month. The pair then sat in the truck's first seats and listened together to Elvis Presley's Can't Stop Falling In Love, California Dreamin', The Mamas & the Papas' God Only Knows, Beat It, Michael Jackson's Beat It, and Don't.

Ross and Trump danced outside Mar-a-Lago in the final minute of the stream, with no music audible. Trump then told the cameras and phones, which were apparently recording for TikTok: "We're going to save TikTok. [Biden] and Harris want to destroy TikTok." So, all of the people who use TikTok should vote for Trump.

It's hard to believe that all of this really happened. It's not new for politicians to use new media in their favor and to take part in embarrassing or cringeworthy activities in an effort to reach out to new audiences and showcase their humanity.

Alexandra Ocasio Cortez, who was mentioned above, streamed Among Us in an effort to get young people voting four years ago. Russia has also enlisted streamers in order to spread propaganda for its war against Ukraine. GrishaPutin played a Hearts of Iron 4 Mod from the headquarters of mercenary Wagner Group.

Why does this even register in the surreal-o meter? There are several reasons. The multiple expensive gifts given to a billionaire candidate for president seem utterly bizarre. (And may have violated campaign financing rules.) The pair were rocking out in a Cybertruck with a photo of the two taken seconds after someone attempted to shoot Trump to death.

It's likely to happen again. Ross responded to Elon Musk's tweet (a Trump supporter and Twitter owner) shortly after the stream. He asked "Can we stream again?" I'll fly you to you tonight." Strap yourself in, people. We're in it for a long ride.