Truth Social: Unexpected Features and Trump's Influence

Curiosity piqued by the buzz surrounding Truth Social, I decided to dive in and explore this platform firsthand. What I encountered was a digital landscape that defied my expectations.

Embarking on the Digital Expedition

My journey began with a simple mission: understand Truth Social for an upcoming lecture. To do so, I needed to experience it from the inside.

First Impressions and Surprises

Mandatory Phone Number Submission: Registration required my phone number, a step that raised immediate privacy considerations.
Unintended Followings: After signing up, I noticed that, besides following Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance, the platform had automatically subscribed me to 44 additional accounts, predominantly state officials and right-wing media outlets.
Targeted Advertising: Despite being based in Austria, I was served numerous ads tailored to Austrian users, surpassing the frequency I encounter on platforms like X (formerly Twitter).
Content Saturation: My feed was inundated with pro-Trump content and political video advertisements, creating a highly polarized user experience.

Building Our Own Digital Enclave

In light of these observations, I invite fellow explorers to join me on Truth Social. Let’s establish our own ‘Gallic village’ within this digital realm, fostering diverse discussions amidst the prevailing narratives. You can find me at @ritchie3x3.

Unexpected Trump Social Media Scandals

While navigating the social media landscape, several unexpected incidents involving Donald Trump have surfaced:

AI-Generated Imagery: Trump shared AI-generated images depicting Taylor Swift fans wearing ‘Swifties for Trump’ T-shirts, leading to public confusion and discussions about authenticity. (source)
Parody Video Controversy: He posted a parody video featuring a spoof conversation between himself and former President Obama during Jimmy Carter’s funeral, which sparked debates about appropriateness. (source)
Elvis Comparison: Trump compared himself to Elvis Presley by posting an image merging their faces, eliciting mixed reactions from the public. (source)

These incidents highlight the unpredictable nature of Trump’s social media engagements and their capacity to dominate public discourse.