Former U.S. President Donald Trump announced on Wednesday the launch of his own social media network called "Truth Social," following the bans of his accounts on Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube in January for allegedly inciting his supporters to storm the Capitol. In a statement, Trump said, "I created Truth Social and the Trump Media & Technology Group to stand up to the tyranny of Big Tech," noting that his new platform will launch in a trial phase next month, with plans to become publicly available in the first quarter of next year.
The former president added that major companies in Silicon Valley "have used their monopoly power to silence dissenting voices in America." The three major social media networks, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube, imposed bans on the Republican billionaire following the violent attack by a group of his supporters on the Capitol on January 6, in an attempt to block Congress from certifying the election of his rival Joe Biden. Before his ban, Trump had nearly 89 million followers on Twitter, 35 million on Facebook, and 24 million on Instagram. Trump has frequently turned to Twitter to communicate with his supporters, often announcing significant decisions, dismissals, and appointments through the platform while he was President.
For several months, the former president has been promising his supporters the launch of his own social media platform. According to the statement, during the trial phase starting in November, those wishing to open an account on "Truth Social" must receive an "invitation" after signing up on a waiting list on a dedicated website. Registration will be open to everyone in the first quarter of next year. The statement also noted that the new media arm of the former president, the "Trump Media & Technology Group," will also offer video-on-demand services with entertainment programs and "non-woke" podcasts, opposing liberal values.
