Donald Trump launches 'Truth' social media platform after exile from Twitter and Facebook

21 October 2021, 09:16 | Updated: 21 October 2021, 09:20

The former president launched his app to compete with tech giants such as Facebook and Twitter.
The former president launched his app to compete with tech giants such as Facebook and Twitter. Picture: Alamy

By Emma Soteriou

Former US president Donald Trump has launched a social media platform named "Truth" after having been banned from tech-giants Facebook and Twitter.

It comes nine months after Mr Trump was expelled from several platforms for his role in inciting a violent insurrection at the US Capitol in January.

The app - called TRUTH social - is intended to rival the companies that had shut him down.

Twitter had become a key tool in Mr Trump's presidency, as a means of communication with his supporters.

In a statement, Mr Trump said: "We live in a world where the Taliban has a huge presence on Twitter, yet your favourite American President has been silenced.

"This is unacceptable."

The app comes as part of the newly-created Trump Media & Technology Group, which was also announced by the 45th US president.

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The platform was created through a merger with Digital World Acquisition Corporation (DWA) - a special-purpose acquisition company - seeking to become a publicly listed company.

Mr Trump had previously spoken about his plans to launch a social media site ever since he was barred from Twitter and Facebook.

An earlier attempt to launch a blog on his existing website was abandoned after the page drew a dismal number of views.

In addition to the app, which is expected to soft-launch next month, with a nationwide rollout in early 2022, the company said it was planning a video-on-demand service - dubbed TMTG+.

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