Donald Trump Will Release His Truth Social App on February 21

According to an Apple App Store listing, former US President Donald Trump’s new media venture plans to launch its social media app Truth Social on February 21.

Truth Social, the Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) alternative to Twitter, is now available for pre-order ahead of its launch on Presidents’ Day in the United States.

According to demo photos, the app, like Twitter, offers features for following other people and trending topics. Its message equivalent to a tweet will be known as “truth.”

The app’s release would come 13 months after Meta Platforms’ Facebook and Twitter banned Trump for encouraging his supporters to take part in the January 6 attack on the US Capitol, which was based on unsubstantiated claims of widespread fraud in the 2020 presidential election.

TMTG and Apple did not respond to requests for comment, but a source familiar with the matter confirmed that the app is set to launch on February 21.

The launch is expected to be the first of three stages in the evolution of TMTG. According to the company’s website, the second would be a subscription video-on-demand service called TMTG+, which would include entertainment, news, and podcasts. According to a November investor presentation, TMTG also intends to launch a podcast network.

The stock price of Digital World Acquisition, which rose 20% after Reuters reported the app’s listing on the App Store, values TMTG at $5.3 billion. In October, TMTG agreed to a merger with the blank-check firm for $875 million.

Trump supporters and retail investors have flocked to Digital World, betting that Trump’s popularity among his Republican political base will translate into commercial success.

The acquisition deal with a blank check is fraught with regulatory risk. Last month, Democratic US Senator Elizabeth Warren asked Securities and Exchange Commission Chairman Gary Gensler to look into the proposed merger for potential violations of securities laws relating to disclosure. The SEC has refused to comment on whether it intends to take any action.

TMTG raised an additional $1 billion  from private investors last month.