TRUMP to launch his own social Network - “TRUTH Social”

More fragmentation of social media sites, which is a good thing.

Can't see it lasting long term though - realistically it'll just be a way for trump to get more donations

Hacked already.

It will probably go the way of his last attempt at a social media type platform.

But as others said it will help drive some donations and that's what it's all about for him.

As I noted in the other Trump thread, one of the T&C's of the site is that you're not allowed to disparage the site or its owners (ie. Trump).

Rumour is that TRUTH Social is going to be the new sponsor of the Boards.ie Conspiracy Theory forum.

In fairness, 2 companies do overwhelmingly own the market. Its effectively a duopoly, especially seeing as big acquisitions seem to be permitted despite the monopoly worries (Facebook buying instagram, whatsapp, etc)

Then there was the fact that payment processors (Visa, Mastercard) refused to allow transactions to some of these new competing sites (Gab maybe? Or parler?) - what then, build your own payment processor?

There is definitely a time when a company becomes too big for anyone to compete, when that happens they need to be regulated very well to ensure they dont abuse their position.

I agree - both sides have allowed a situation to unfold where corporations have more power than government essentially. Although we always knew that american politicians were basically corporate representatives with the amount of lobbying that goes on, now its gotten to a stage where a handful of big tech companies can shape the public perception and censor stuff that hurts their bottom line, or people who might threaten them.

Like most things, the Americans have to go bigger and more abhorrent to ruin it for everyone.

Do they actually put any thought into these things? (no need to answer we know the answer)

His case in Florida is still to be heard afaik with regards to his whinge about getting back onto the other platforms but he is doing exactly what he was whinging about.

Truth Social?

Why not Jackass Central?

That makes it sound like the Republican party is still in the mode pre-2016 where the establishment of the party is still wary of Trump, but it seems to me that the Republican party can broadly be divided into 3 categories right now,

1) Trumpists who are parroting his talking points to get a foothold in politics.

2) Stalwarts who sense the way the wind is blowing with the voting base and either backing Trump or staying neutral

3) Opponents of Trump who are facing primary challenges and are facing being pushed either out to the margins of the party or out of it altogether

With Trump, the party faces a tough time regaining the presidency as the man remains toxic to many middle-ground voters. It's not that regaining the presidency would be impossible, but comes down more to what can happen to limit the voter turnout for the other crowd. In parliamentary politics, the Republicans will probably still be able to regain control, just due to the pendulum nature of it. Candidates can run on local issues and either distance themselves from Trump or align where expedient to do so

Without Trump, they'd have a hard time doing anything. Trump can tell enough followers to stay home and therefore wreck the chances of success for the party, especially in close contests where the party needs every vote it can get.

So, right now, it remains more advantageous for the party to keep backing Trump. He has the dead man's switch over the party of cleaving off a chunk of their support. If they want to cut him loose and be able to move forward, then all their think tank members are really going to have to start putting those degrees in Poli-Sci degrees to good use in figuring out how that can be done while keeping a shot at gaining power.

Google will delist it

I hate to break it to you but even in a 2 horse race the sure thing, odds on favourites have been known to lose, bookies odds mean nothing.

Do conspiracy theorists want to be in an echo chamber? I'd imagine they want to get their message out on broader platforms.

That's why it's hard to see these type of social media sites working imo. Too narrow a user base.

Really? I just see it as yet another grift, I suppose one more bankruptcy won't harm him though.

You do know it's been removed from the Apple store already right?

DIdnt know it was launched already. Does it actually state that in the rules?