Truth Social, a social media platform spearheaded by former US President Donald Trump launched on Sunday and although it is surrounded by quite a lot of controversy, the app topped Apple’s App Store free download category as of Tuesday morning. As of that time, the app had over 170,000 downloads, according to Apptopia.
Truth Social finally launched on Sunday after several delays. While a full launch was proposed for the 21st of February, this date has been adjusted to March 31st. Truth Social is led by former Republican US congressman Devin Nunes and Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), and is tagging itself as one of the “increasingly extinct” technology companies pioneering for free speech. It is tagging itself a platform for people who feel suppressed on other established platforms.
As of Tuesday, shares of Digital World Acquisition Corp, the blank-check company backing Truth Social’s social media venture soared 14 percent on the app’s gains. Donald Trump was banned from major social media platforms Facebook, Twitter and YouTube after the attack on the US Capitol by his supporters in January last year. The former President was accused of using his social media to incite violence via the messages he posted, and this was breaking a handful of rules governing these platforms. As a means of returning to social media, the former President and business magnate decided to launch his own social media venture.
Although it has recorded massive downloads since its launch, users complained of being unable to register after downloading. While some users encountered problems with registration, some said they were added to a waitlist and that the message displayed reads “Due to massive demand, we have placed you on our waitlist.”
According to images and screenshots flying over the internet, Truth Social shares a close resemblance with micro-blogging platform Twitter, which Donald Trump may have the biggest grievance for.