Donald Trump’s Truth Social app hits No. 1 on Apple’s app store

Late on Sunday, former President Donald Trump launched his new social media venture, Truth Social, on Apple’s App Store, which could mark his return to social media after several platforms banned his accounts early in 2021.

The app was made available just before midnight Eastern Time and became the top free app on the App Store by early Monday.

The Truth Social app was automatically downloaded to all Apple Inc devices belonging to users who had already pre-ordered it. Several users reported either having trouble registering for an account on the platform or were added to a waitlist with a message reading: “Due to massive demand, we have placed you on our waitlist.”

Reuters previously reported that the app was made available for people who had been invited to use it while it was being tested.

The former president was banned from Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube after the January 6, 2021 riot by those seeking to overturn the results of the 2020 presidential election, and Trump was accused of posting messages inciting violence.

Truth Social, run by former Republican U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes and Trump Media & Technology Group, joins a growing group of technology companies that have branded themselves as champions of free speech in hopes of drawing users who feel their views are suppressed by existing popular platforms.

None of the new companies, including Twitter competitors Gettr and Parler as well as video site Rumble, have so far come close to matching the popularity of their more mainstream counterparts.

“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 Nunes in an appearance on Fox News’ “Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo.” He added, “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.”

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