In early 2022, former President Donald Trump launched his social media platform, Truth Social, after being banned from major sites like Facebook and Twitter following the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol. While reinstated on these platforms, Trump has mostly stayed off Twitter and focused on Facebook, where his posts are primarily videos and images with slogans supporting his political agenda.
What is Truth Social?
Truth Social was launched in the Apple App store in February 2022, quickly becoming one of the most downloaded free apps. The platform aims to attract a broad audience by positioning itself as an alternative to mainstream media apps that allegedly restrict free expression. However, Truth Social has been criticized for fostering an echo chamber of conservative political commentary and allowing hate speech and extremism due to lax content moderation.
How Big is It?
While user numbers are not disclosed, research estimates suggest Truth Social had around 5 million active users in February 2022. This pales in comparison to platforms like TikTok and Facebook but outperforms other conservative-leaning platforms like Parler and Gettr. Trump's personal following on Truth Social is significantly smaller than on Twitter, where he has 87 million followers.
How Does It Work?
Truth Social functions similarly to Twitter, allowing users to post 'truths' or 'retruths,' follow accounts, and send direct messages. The platform's feed features conservative political content, support for Trump, and criticism of President Biden. Trump has agreed to delay posting non-political content on other platforms for six hours after posting on Truth Social.
Comparison to Other Platforms
While Truth Social aims to provide an open conversation without political bias, reports suggest it engages in content moderation, including banning users critical of Trump. The platform faces challenges in attracting users away from established platforms like Facebook and Twitter.
Future as a Public Company
As Truth Social prepares to go public, it could receive a significant financial boost and will be required to report financials to the SEC. The platform may face scrutiny from investors and mainstream advertisers, similar to challenges encountered by Twitter. The success of Truth Social as a public company will depend on its ability to attract and retain users.
