Truth Social: Donald Trump’s Social Media Platform and PM Modi’s Official Presence
What is Truth Social?
Truth Social is a social media platform launched by former U.S. President Donald Trump in response to being banned from major platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube in 2021 following the U.S. Capitol riots. Trump created Truth Social as a free speech alternative, claiming it would allow users to express their opinions without fear of censorship.
The platform, launched officially in 2022, closely resembles Twitter in functionality. Posts on Truth Social are called “Truths,” reposts are known as “Re-Truths,” and paid advertisements are referred to as “Sponsored Truths.” The platform is owned and operated by the Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG).
How Does Truth Social Work?
Truth Social operates like a typical social media platform, allowing users to:
- Create user accounts – Anyone can register and set up a profile.
- Post “Truths” – Similar to tweets, users can share their opinions and updates.
- Re-Truth – Similar to retweeting, users can share others’ posts.
- Like and comment – Users can engage with posts.
- Follow other users – Users can follow political figures, celebrities, or ordinary individuals.
- Monetization through ads and subscriptions – The platform generates revenue via advertisements and premium subscriptions.
PM Modi Joins Truth Social – Global Impact
Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi officially joined Truth Social, creating widespread international interest.
PM Modi’s First Posts on Truth Social:
- In his first post, Modi stated:
“I am delighted to join Truth Social. Looking forward to engaging in meaningful discussions with everyone on this platform in the coming days.” - He also shared a 2019 “Howdy Modi” event photo, where he stood alongside Trump, waving to a large audience.
- In another post, Modi thanked Trump for sharing a video of his three-hour podcast interview with Lex Fridman, a well-known American researcher and podcaster.
PM Modi’s Account Gains Rapid Followers
- Within 24 hours of joining, Modi’s Truth Social account gained 24,000 followers.
- However, Modi has only followed two people so far – U.S. President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris.
- A spokesperson for Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) expressed happiness in welcoming PM Modi to the platform.
Truth Social’s Global Reach & Future Expansion
Current Status:
- As of 2024, Truth Social reportedly has around 5 million users.
- Trump himself has 9.28 million followers on the platform.
- However, user traffic on Truth Social is 400 times lower than on Twitter/X.
- Trump owns 57% of Truth Social’s shares, with the company valued at $4.45 billion.
- Despite this valuation, the platform suffered a loss of $3.3 billion last year, earning only $30 million in revenue.
Will Truth Social Expand to India?
- Truth Social remains primarily popular in the U.S.
- Some business analysts speculate that Trump might be eyeing India as a potential expansion market, given its 1.4 billion population.
- This could explain why Trump shared Modi’s podcast discussion on the platform, seeing Modi’s presence as a way to attract Indian users.
Conclusion – Political and Digital Diplomacy
- PM Modi’s presence on Truth Social is seen as Trump’s digital diplomacy to increase the platform’s influence globally.
- Modi remains the most-followed political leader on Twitter/X, with over 100 million followers.
- Analysts believe that Modi’s entry into Truth Social marks a new phase in his digital presence.
The key question remains – Will Truth Social grow in India, or is this merely a political move? Only time will tell.
