The Truth Social, the whole Truth Social, and nothing but the Truth Social
Oct 31, 2024
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Jo Lukito, a Professor at UT Austin specializing in media misinformation, and Robert Faturechi, a ProPublica reporter, dissect Truth Social's emergence after Trump’s Twitter ban. They dive into the platform's minuscule active user base amidst its significant political implications. The duo explores how Truth Social reflects Trump's financial stakes and political leverage while critiquing its sustainability and misinformation role. They also humorously remind listeners of the importance of voting in today’s digital age.
Truth Social functions as a critical medium for Trump's unfiltered opinions, significantly influencing public discourse and media narratives.
Despite initial financial success, Truth Social's long-term viability is questionable due to limited user growth and competitive pressures.
Deep dives
The Launch of Truth Social
Donald Trump launched Truth Social in February 2022, presenting it as a platform that encourages open dialogue without political bias. His inaugural post hinted at his return, promoting the idea of a 'big tent' for social media users. However, upon exploration, it became apparent that Truth Social's design closely mirrored Twitter, utilizing similar functions like verified accounts and message-sharing mechanics known as 're-truths'. This intentional design raises questions about the platform's distinctiveness and its appeal to a narrow, ideologically aligned user base.
The Role of Misinformation
Truth Social has emerged as a significant hub for misinformation, largely propelled by Trump's presence and statements. The platform allows him to express his opinions without moderation, leading to the unchecked dissemination of false claims, such as regarding elections and political figures. Research indicates that Trump's online behavior on Truth Social has a substantial impact on public discourse and news media narratives, creating a cyclical effect where misinformation is amplified. This environment not only influences followers but also invites scrutiny from the media regarding the veracity of the claims made.
Truth Social's Future and Financial Motives
Although Truth Social has seen initial financial success after going public, its long-term viability remains uncertain due to limited user growth and reliance on Trump's popularity. Experts note that Trump has significant financial stakes in the platform, which complicates his potential departure back to Twitter, especially given the platform's larger reach. Additionally, concerns over business practices have surfaced, questioning the platform's commitment to American ideals while outsourcing labor. Analysts suggest that regardless of his political future, the sustainability of Truth Social is in jeopardy as it faces competition and dwindling engagement.
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.