Trump finally posts on Truth Social: 'I'M BACK!'

Mr Trump broke his silence as billionaire Elon Musk sealed a US$44 billion (S$60.75 billion) deal to buy Twitter. PHOTO: REUTERS

WASHINGTON (REUTERS) - Former US president Donald Trump posted a brief message on Truth Social late on Thursday for the first time since the app he founded launched two months ago, saying "I'M BACK!"

Mr Trump broke his silence as billionaire Elon Musk sealed a US$44 billion (S$60.75 billion) deal to buy Twitter, which last year permanently banned Mr Trump citing a risk of further violence following the Jan 6, 2021, siege by a pro-Trump mob of the US Capitol.

Republicans cheered Mr Musk's buyout of the social media platform in the hope that the Tesla Inc Chief Executive, who has vowed to relax content moderation practices to restore free speech, will invite Mr Trump back to the site.

Since the deal was announced this week, Mr Trump has said he would not return to Twitter.

In Thursday's message, called a "truth" on the app, Mr Trump wrote, "I'M BACK! #COVFEFE", referencing a typo on a Twitter message he sent while president that complained about the press and was widely memed.

Mr Trump's silence on his own app since the launch of Truth Social on Apple Inc's app store on Feb 21 has raised questions about its long-term viability.

Ahead of its launch, his son Donald Trump Jr tweeted a screenshot of his father's Truth Social account with one "truth" that he posted on Feb 14, verified at the account of #reaDonaldTrump, with the message: "Get Ready! Your favourite President will see you soon!"

Trump Media & Technology Group (TMTG), Truth Social's parent company, is planning to go public through a merger with blank-check firm Digital World Acquisition Corp, shares of which were up 7.7 per cent pre-market on Friday.

The deal is under scrutiny by the US Securities and Exchange Commission and is likely months away from being finalised.

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