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According to tweets from an executive on a test version seen by Reuters, Donald Trump’s new social media endeavour, Truth Social, is slated to launch in Apple’s App Store on Monday, perhaps marking the former president’s return to social media on US Presidents Day.
A verified account for the network’s chief product officer, Billy B., responded to queries about the app from users asked to use it during its test period in a series of postings late on Friday. According to screenshots seen by Reuters, one user asked him when the software, which had been accessible for beta testers this week, would be distributed to the general public.
The CEO said, “We’re currently scheduled for distribution in the Apple App Store on Monday, February 21.”
The launch would restore Trump’s social media presence more than a year after he was banned from Twitter Inc, Facebook Inc, and Alphabet Inc’s YouTube following a Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the United States Capitol by his supporters, after he was accused of tweeting inciting remarks.
Donald Jr., Trump’s eldest son, shared a screenshot of his father’s verified @realDonaldTrump Truth Social account on Twitter on Feb. 15, with one post, or “truth,” that he submitted on Feb. 14: “Prepare yourself. Soon you’ll see your favourite President!”
Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the venture behind Truth Social, will join a growing portfolio of technology companies positioning themselves as champions of free speech in the hopes of attracting users who feel their views are suppressed on platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube. TMTG will be led by former Republican U.S. Representative Devin Nunes. So far, none of the firms, which include Twitter rivals Gettr and Parler, as well as video site Rumble, have come close to matching the mainstream counterparts’ popularity.
The screenshots viewed by Reuters reveal the software is now at version 1.0, indicating it has achieved a level ready for public distribution, in addition to the post disclosing the launch date on Monday. According to two persons with access to that version, it was still at version 0.9 on Wednesday.
Truth Social is planned to be released on February 21, according to Apple’s App Store listing, which was confirmed in January by a source familiar with the project. However, Nunes has stated publicly in recent weeks that the app will be available by the end of March.
According to the individual with knowledge of the situation, one of Nunes’ messages greeted a new member who seemed to be a Catholic priest and encouraged him to bring more priests to join.
‘TRUTHS’ CANNOT BE MODIFIED.
During Friday’s question-and-answer session, the chief product officer said the startup’s features would be similar to Twitter’s.
“Not yet,” the CEO said when asked if users would be able to amend their “truths.” Twitter users have long wished for the option to alter posts after they’ve been published.
Direct messaging, or DMs, between users will be the next major feature added to the site, according to the CEO.
According to the CEO, the company is also exploring allowing users to sign up to be notified when others publish material. He hinted that blocking other users would be a key feature.
TMTG is cloaked in secrecy and is viewed with mistrust by some in the tech and media circles, even as details of the app begin to emerge. It’s unclear how the corporation plans to support its present expansion, for example.
According to a press statement issued Oct. 21, TMTG plans to list in New York through a merger with blank-check firm Digital World Acquisition Corp (DWAC), and will receive $293 million in cash held in a trust by DWAC if no DWAC shareholder redeems their shares.
TMTG also secured $1 billion in committed funding from private investors in December; but, the money will not be available until the DWAC purchase is completed.
According to a regulatory filing, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the United States Financial Industry Regulatory Authority are investigating Digital World’s activities, and the acquisition is expected to close in the coming months.
