Donald Trump’s new social media venture, ‘Truth Social’, is set to launch in Apple’s App Store today, Monday February 21, according to post from an executive on a test version, viewed by Reuters.
The launch potentially marks the return of the former president to social media.
“This week, we will begin to roll out on the Apple App Store. That’s going to be awesome, because we’re going to get so many more people that are going to be on the platform,” said former Republican U.S. Representative Devin Nunes, head of the Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG)
Nunes spoke in a Sunday appearance on Fox News’ ‘Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo’.
“Our goal is, I think we’re going to hit it, I think by the end of March, we’re going to be fully operational at least within the United States,” he added.
In a series of posts late on Friday, a verified account for the network’s chief product officer, listed as Billy B., answered questions on the app from people invited to use it during its test phase.
One user asked him when the app, which has been available this week for beta testers, would be released to the public, according to screenshots viewed by Reuters.
“We’re currently set for release in the Apple App store for Monday Feb. 21,” the executive responded.
The launch would restore Trump’s presence on social media more than a year after he was banned from Twitter Inc, Facebook and Alphabet Inc’s YouTube.
The ban followed the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters, after he was accused of posting messages inciting violence.
On February 15 Trump’s eldest son Donald Jr. posted on Twitter, a screenshot of his father’s verified @realDonaldTrump Truth Social account with one post, or “truth,” that he uploaded on Feb. 14: “Get Ready! Your favorite President will see you soon!”
Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the venture behind Truth Social, will join a growing portfolio of technology companies that are positioning themselves as champions of free speech.
They hope to draw users who feel their views are suppressed on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.
So far none of the companies, which include Twitter competitors Gettr and Parler and video site Rumble, have come close to matching the popularity of their mainstream counterparts.