Donald Trump may soon decide whether he wants to return to posting frequently on Twitter, after spending the past year heavily active on the social media platform.
The Social Truth app, created by former president Trump’s Technology & Media Group, was banned from all mainstream social media platforms. This action was taken due to concerns that he would use the app to further incite violence, particularly after the January 6th attack.
Elon Musk, the CEO of Tesla, had his beloved Twitter account reinstated last November following a suspension from Instagram and Facebook. The suspension lasted for more than two years, and it came after Elon Musk’s takeover of Tesla, which was valued at $44 billion.
Instead, the former president still frequently uses Social Truth to attack his political rivals and share positive articles while also airing his grievances. Nonetheless, Twitter has not returned to allow Trump to share updates on his Facebook profile.
Truth Social, the social media platform owned by Trump, requires him to share all his social media communications on the platform first and prohibits him from posting the same content on another social media site for a period of 6 hours, as stated in the exclusivity agreement with SEC (Exchange and Securities) filings.
The New York Times reported that Trump is not contemplating renewing the agreement when it comes to an end in June. The ex-president aims to make a comeback on Twitter, where he boasts over 86 million followers, in contrast to the 5.4 million he has on Truth Social, stated the publication.
The 2024 election and subsequent GOP presidential primary — where he is the leading candidate to secure the nomination — would align with Trump’s ongoing campaign efforts aimed at regaining access to Twitter.
This is something he has struggled to do while posting on Truth Social, a fairly niche platform. Trump may also decide to control the news narrative in the presidential and primary elections by tweeting.
Upon his return to Twitter, Trump must also consider the possible ripple effects. Truth Social, the platform where one can access all of the former president’s daily musings, is where crucial updates like his impending indictment in the classified documents investigation were disclosed.
If Trump were to resume his regular posting on Twitter, the platform that is mostly owned by the former president would become ineffective.
Joshua Tucker, co-director of NYU’s Center for Social Media and Politics, informed Newsweek that “Truth Social” is a direct competitor to Facebook and Twitter, aiming to undermine their dominance if it becomes fully established.
“Tucker added that Truth Social will suffer a financial setback. Therefore, if he decides to return to Twitter and Facebook, it will likely have a negative impact on Truth Social, which is the social-media platform that grants access to Donald Trump.”
On Truth Social, Trump has expressed his willingness to openly share his opinions and has consistently rejected the notion that he will ultimately make a comeback on Twitter, as far as he is concerned.
Trump expressed at the Republican Jewish Coalition’s yearly leadership gathering on November 19, “however, it’s performing exceptionally well. The media dislikes discussing it, but it’s performing exceptionally well. I believe the level of interaction is superior compared to Twitter.” Trump asserted, “It’s performing exceptionally well.”
“Truth Social has been extremely powerful, extremely strong, and I’ll be remaining there,” he added.
Newsweek has reached out to TMTG through email to request