Evaluating the Viability of Truth Social in the Social Media Landscape

Truth Social is not just a Twitter knock-off. While the social media platform that Donald Trump launched after he was banned from Twitter in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol only has about 600,000 monthly active users (of what appears to be five million total accounts), it might play an important role in the presidential election.

Truth Social is where journalists go to get Trump's unfiltered takes. Even Vice President Kamala Harris is on it. Perhaps more importantly, Truth Social represents a significant proportion of Trump's personal net worth, making it potentially a critical tool for wealth and power.

Endless Thread decodes why Truth Social matters to all Americans, whether they're posting on X, or truthing on Truth Social, with help from misinformation and disinformation-focused Professor Jo Lukito, and Pro Publica's Robert Faturechi.

Show notes:

Trump Media Whistleblower Blasts Company for Outsourcing Jobs Abroad as Betrayal of “America First” (ProPublica)

Trump Media Quietly Enters Deal With a Republican Donor Who Could Benefit From a Second Trump Administration (ProPublica)

Trump loses $1.3 billion in net worth after the worst-ever day for his social media stock (CNN)

What to know about Truth Social, Trump’s social media platform (PBS News)

This episode was written and produced by Grace Tatter. Mix and sound design by Emily Jankowski. The hosts are Amory Sivertson and Ben Brock Johnson.