An account claiming to represent Donald Trump appeared on the so-called "free speech" social media platform Parler on Thursday, after the president was blocked temporarily from Twitter and Facebook.
The unverified @Thepotus45 account was set up at around 3 a.m. ET, and had gained around 15,000 followers by approximately 5 a.m. It was later made private.
The account shared a link to a website asking users for their name, email address, and if they would like to send a message to the president. Beneath a banner showing the president in front of a large crowd at what appeared to be a rally, it also asked: "are you opt-in for supporting with a $20 Donation for the president's 2024 bid and a News Network?"
The options beside a pair of tick-boxes read: "I am there to support!" and "Support and Donation for the cause!" Submitting the form did not direct users to input their payment details.
Newsweek contacted Parler to confirm whether the account was fake, if the president has a Parler account, and whether users should be wary of potential money scams. According to Parler's website, users need to provide driver licenses and government-issued IDs such as passports to be verified.
This account was created after the president tried to raise money for an "Official Election Defense Fund" to help pay legal fees for challenging election results in swing states. It later emerged the small print stated donations under $8,000 would go to the Trump's Republican National Committee or "Save America" PAC.
Trump was blocked from using Twitter and Facebook on Wednesday evening, after he shared posts praising supporters who took part in a riot at the U.S. Capitol building, and falsely claimed the 2020 election was stolen from him.
On Thursday, Trump released a statement accepting he would soon be out of the White House, but left the prospect of a future presidential bid open.
Twitter and Facebook's actions prompted some to speculate whether the president would join Parler, an app that markets itself as a "non-biased, free speech social media focused on protecting user's rights." Parler has attracted people on the right who claim without evidence that they are being disproportionately censored on mainstream social media platforms.
Relatives of the president, such as his advisor and daughter Ivanka Trump and his son Eric Trump, are already on the platform.
Some called on the president to join the platform. Far-right commentator Dinesh D'Souza, whom Trump pardoned in 2018, tweeted: "Once again I'm urging @realDonaldTrump to join Parler. Here on Twitter there will always be a Sword of Damocles hanging over his head."
Conservative writer Brigitte Gabriel tweeted: "America needs President Trump on Parler!"
Uncommon Knowledge
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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Kashmira Gander is Deputy Science Editor at Newsweek. Her interests include health, gender, LGBTQIA+ issues, human rights, subcultures, music, and lifestyle. Her ... Read more
