President Donald Trump is the leader of the Republican Party, plain and simple. What Trump says generally goes, and what Trump touches usually turns to gold. Trump’s new social media platform, Truth Social, is another example of his far-reaching clout and influence.
When Truth Social launched on Presidents’ Day earlier this week, hundreds of thousands of users were added to a waiting list.
WIthin one day, the Truth Social app rocketed to No. 1 on the Apple App Store. By Tuesday morning, it still sat atop Apple’s free applications download charts. Its quick success is an astonishing accomplishment!
What is it about Truth Social that is drawing so much attention and making it so popular? This question was recently posed to a group of predominantly conservative Facebook users who, wishing to remain anonymous, made the following observations:
“We are in an era of government-media control. Most of what they label misinformation is true. Most of what they say is true is false. On this issue alone it’s worthwhile. It is horrific and totalitarian that they would silence a former President. The lack of censorship is THE attraction as everything else is censored.” – Anonymous Facebook User
“I will support Trump anyway I can. He has sacrificed so much for us. Facebook has censored me, shadow banned me, and I am nervous every time I post something that it will trigger the fake “fact checkers” and be put in FB jail. It happened to me twice last week for posting facts, not opinions.” – Anonymous Facebook User
“I’m in it for supporting President Trump and my freedom as American. Our government should not be in control of media information. A lot of the true features are taken away.” – Anonymous Facebook User
“The censorship, but you’ll lose ears. The ones who need the message don’t hear it.” – Anonymous Facebook User
“I support the platform because President Trump should never have been censored!” – Anonymous Facebook User
“Lack of censorship. Trump won’t live forever. Never attach yourself to a party or person. Attach yourself to an idea.” – Anonymous Facebook User
“I was de-platformed by FB on March 18th of last year. The Censorship of Conservatives needs to end. We need a Platform that is not controlled or manipulated by big tech. That is why I am interested in joining TS.” – Anonymous Facebook User
“Only because I’m so tired of the hypocrisy of Twitter and Facebook, time for a change that doesn’t censor free speech.” – Anonymous Facebook User
“I’m looking forward to joining and being part of an uncensored platform.” – Anonymous Facebook User
Based on these responses, several factors drive people to the platform, including loyalty and support for Trump, censorship of conservative ideas and opinions on other social media platforms, and the desire to maintain individual freedom of speech.
Truth Social purportedly seeks to do what other platforms refuse to do, which is to allow “open, free, and honest global conversation without discriminating against political ideology.” While the platform will be moderated to protect against inappropriate speech, users will not be de-platformed, silenced, or removed because they have a different or unpopular thought or opinion.
Sadly, conservatives have been silenced all-too-often on other platforms. Truth Social will hopefully provide a forum where people can speak responsibly, yet openly, about issues that are important to them. Disagree with the vaccine mandates? Support stricter election laws? Disagree with the current situation involving the swimmer in Pennsylvania? Have questions or concerns about the 2020 elections? Representatives of Truth Social say it will allow you to discuss your thoughts and opinions responsibly without the fear of being removed or censored.
In essence, Truth Social will allow people to discuss issues like adults. The platform affords people the opportunity to speak freely and openly about issues that are important to them despite their political or ideological differences. It purports to do what other platforms seemingly refuse to do, which is to allow the free exchange of ideas regardless of political ideology.
Based on the amount of excitement that the platform is already generating, Truth Social could be precisely what freedom-loving Americans are looking for when it launches next month! It also re-emphasizes the immense power and influence that Trump continues to carry with American voters as the midterm elections inch closer.
Mr. Hakim is an attorney and columnist. His articles have been published in The Washington Examiner, The Daily Caller, The Federalist, American Thinker, and other online publications. He is also a regular guest on OANN’s Tipping Point.