Truth+ Streaming Service From Donald Trump Announced
In February 2022, former president Donald Trump and his media company, Trump Media & Technology Group, launched Truth Social, his bid to create a direct competitor to X, formerly known as Twitter. Following Truth Social’s two years of middling performance, Trump Media & Technology Group has now announced plans to roll out its very own streaming service, Truth+. However, the timeline of the phased roll-out of Truth+ has not been revealed, and the cost of the planned streaming service has yet to be determined.
The Launch Of Truth+
According to a press release, Truth+ users can expect streaming options, including individual channels consisting of news, commentary, weather, and lifestyle and entertainment. Trump’s media company revealed its desire to cater to Christian and family-friendly content, which will reportedly expand as the streaming service takes shape. Truth+ will begin its beta test on Truth Social as part of the unveiling of its new content delivery network.
Uncancellable
The “uncancellable” service is expected to be made available to Truth Social users before making its way to Android and iOS. “By clicking the icon, users will be able to access streaming content as stand-alone channels or in a separate picture-in-picture (“PiP”) window while scrolling on the Truth Social platform,” Trump Media & Technology Group said in its release. IOS users will be required to update the Truth Social app in order to access Truth+ and its content.
Trump Media & Technology Group CEO Devin Nunes says Truth+ will follow the same model of its social media app. “First, we created Truth Social to provide a safe harbor for free speech on the Internet,” said Nunes. “Now, we’re establishing a reliable home for great TV content that is neglected by the big corporations or is at risk of cancellation—and we are securing our own tech stack and hardware infrastructure to make our new CDN uncancellable.”
Plans For A Linear Channel
While it remains unclear exactly how Truth+ plans to become “uncancellable,” the streaming service aims to include several enhancements throughout its roll-out. The enhanced features will include an interactive 14-day electronic guide, instant catch-up TV on any show broadcast in the previous seven days, network DVR, and video on demand. Trump Media & Technology Group also reveals plans to make its streaming content available on in-home TV sets as well.
Back On Twitter, Still On Truth
On January 8, 2021, Donald Trump’s then-Twitter account was permanently suspended by the social media service due to the “risk of further incitement of violence.” This came just two days after the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol in which a crowd stormed the building following a rally held by the former president. In response to Trump’s ban from Twitter, in October 2021, Trump Media & Technology Group announced that it would be launching its own social media service.
Although Trump has since been reinstated to X, formerly known as Twitter, by Elon Musk, he has continued to attempt to build up his Truth Social media brand. Despite this, Truth Social has struggled to grab a foothold in the social media arena, which has severely impacted Trump’s media company.
Truth+ Hasn’t Salvaged The Sell-Off
As of August 16, Trump Media & Technology Group’s stock price has continued to tumble, even with the announcement of the Truth+ streaming service. The stock price is worth just 23.20 USD per share, which is down from its 89.47 USD share price back in February 2022 when Truth Social was launched.
