According to tweets from an executive on a test version seen by Reuters, Donald Trump’s new social media endeavor, Truth Social, is slated to be launched in Apple’s App Store starting Monday, according to posts made by an executive of the venture’s test version, said reports. This also potentially marks the return to social media platforms for the former US president on Presidents Day.

A verified account for the network’s chief product officer, Billy B., responded to queries about the app from users asked to use it during its test period in a series of postings. According to screenshots seen by the media, one user inquired when the software, which had been accessible for beta testers this week, would be released to the general public.

“We’re currently set for release in the Apple App store for Monday, Feb. 21,” the executive responded.

Trump’s presence on social media would be restored more than a year after he was banned from Twitter Inc, Facebook Inc, and Alphabet Inc’s YouTube following a Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the US Capitol by his supporters, after he was accused of sending inciting comments.

Donald Jr., Trump’s eldest son, shared a screenshot of his father’s verified @realDonaldTrump Truth Social account on Twitter on Feb. 15, along with one post, or “truth,” that he submitted on Feb. 14: “Get Ready! Your favorite President will see you soon!”

Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), the company that has funded Truth Social, will become a part of an increasing list of technology companies that have touted themselves as champions of free speech in the hopes of attracting users who believe that social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and YouTube tend to suppress their views and opinions.      

Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG) is headed by the former Republican US Representative Devin Nunes.

None of the newly created startups, which include Gettr and Parler positioned as rivals of Twitter, as well as video site Rumble, has been able to amass users that are even close to the levels of popularity enjoyed by the counterparts in the mainstream social media area.

“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,” Nunes said in a Sunday appearance on Fox News’ ‘Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo’.

“Our goal is, I think we’re going to hit it, I think by the by the end of March we’re going to be fully operational at least within the United States,” he added.

The screenshots viewed by the media outlets reporting on the matter reveal the software is now at version 1.0, indicating it has achieved a level ready for public distribution, in addition to the post disclosing Monday’s launch date. According to two persons with access to that version, it was at version 0.9 as recently as Wednesday.

There were however no comments in the reports available from TMTG. 

According to Apple’s App Store page, Truth Social is set to launch on February 21, a date verified by a source close to the project in January. However, Nunes recently stated publicly that the app would be out by the end of March.

According to a source familiar with the situation, Nunes was on the app on Friday asking users to follow more accounts, share photographs and videos, and join in chats in an apparent attempt to increase activity.

According to a source familiar with the situation, Nunes welcomed a new user who seemed to be a Catholic priest and pushed him to get more priests to join.

Other comments from the chief product officer during Friday’s question-and-answer session suggested that the startup’s features will be similar to those of Twitter.

“Not yet,” the CEO said when asked if users would be able to amend their “truths.” Users of Twitter have long wished for the option to alter their posts after they have been published.

Direct messaging, or DMs, between users will be the platform’s next major innovation, according to the CEO.

According to the CEO, the company is also exploring allowing users to sign up to receive notifications when others post material. He hinted that being able to block other users would be a key feature.

“There will always be block functionality in the app,” he wrote.

“In the coming weeks,” the CEO stated, Truth Social will release a policy on verified accounts.

Even when more information about the app becomes available, TMTG remains cloaked in secret and is viewed with mistrust by those in the IT and media circles. For example, it’s unclear how the corporation plans to fund its present expansion.

According to a press statement issued Oct. 21, TMTG plans to list in New York through a merger with blank-check firm Digital World Acquisition Corp, and stands to gain $293 million in cash held in a trust by DWAC if no DWAC shareholder redeems their shares.

(Adapted from Latestly.com)