Democrats Demand Social Media Action Plan on Adressing Online Threats Made After Mar-a-Lago Raid
Democrats on The Hill are demanding social media networks to release their action plans on how they are curbing the spiking number of violent online threats made through their platforms. STEFANI REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has launched his social media app Truth Social, with the platform claiming the top spot on Apple Store downloads.

However, some people who had taken interest in using the former president's social media app had trouble creating an account, according to a CNET report.

Some were placed on a waitlist after signing up due to massive demand. Some who preordered Truth Social had the app automatically downloaded to their iPhones.

Truth Social is another example of an alternative social media app like Parler, Gettr, and Rumble. Conservatives have flocked those apps due to censorship concerns.

The app's release highlights Trump's plans to return to social media after being ousted from Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube last year due to concerns that his statements could spark violence after the January 6 Capitol riot.

Facebook and Twitter have denied that they intentionally suppress conservative content. Both companies implement rules against hate speech and inciting violence.

Truth Social App

The venture behind the Truth Social is Trump Media & Technology Group, which is being led by former Republican U.S. Rep. Devin Nunes.

Nunes said that their goal is to be fully operational at least within the United States by the end of March. He then added that he thinks they are going to hit that goal, according to a Reuters report.

Nunes was on the app urging users who successfully created their accounts to follow more accounts, share photos and videos, as well as participate in conversations.

Nunes also welcomed a new user who appeared to be a Catholic priest, encouraging him to invite more priests to join the platform, according to the person familiar with the matter.

Alternative Social Media Platforms

Shannon McGregor, a professor of journalism and media at the University of North Carolina, said that there is an audience and a market for alternative platforms. However, she said that it is not a huge pool, according to The New York Times report.

Most alternative platform companies depend on small groups of financial backers who invest in partisan causes as most Silicon Valley investors are not rushing to fund alternative platforms.

Rumble recently reported that its revenue nearly tripled over the past year.

However, for the first nine months of 2021, its revenue was less than $7 million. It was founded in 2013 to compete against YouTube and is considered to be one of the oldest alternative social media companies.

Meanwhile, its competitor, YouTube, made close to $9 billion in advertising revenue in its most recent quarter.

Mark Weinstein, the founder of MeWe, noted that alternative social media companies mainly thrive off politics.

MeWe is a platform with 20 million registered users that has presented itself as an option to Facebook.

Weinstein said that the problem with Truth Social, Gettr, and Parler is that these are competing against Twitter.

He added that they are "echo chambers for a narrow political spectrum." Weinstein then went on to say that echo chambers do not have wide appeal.

TMTG is planning to list in New York through a merger with blank-check firm Digital World Acquisition Corp.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Mary Webber

WATCH: Trump's New Social Media Site Launches With Difficulties, Tops Apple Store Downloads - from MSNBC