“We Joined Truth Social for a Laugh and Now We Have More Followers Than Trump” Says Biden Team

William FurneyOct 22, 2023

Minute Read

Democratic President Biden has joined Donald Trump’s messaging platform Truth Social as something of a joke, but he now has far more followers than the Republican former president.

‘For a Laugh’

Biden-Harris HQ, the name of the new account, also referencing Vice President Kamala Harris, wrote in their first post that they signed up for a laugh.

“We just joined Truth Social, mostly because we thought it would be very funny. Follow us there for truths and untruths or whatever they call them.”

Switching Sides

The Biden team also wrote on the network that Republicans were welcome to join the Democratic Party. “Well. Let’s see how this goes. Converts welcome!” they wrote.

Biden Ahead on Truth Social

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As of writing, the Biden-Harris HQ account had 32,000 followers while Team Trump, the former president’s account on the platform, had 5,500 fewer followers, at 26,500. Biden’s campaign had previously ruled out joining the social media network of arch-rival Trump.

Trump’s Answer to X

Trump had been a prolific poster on Twitter, which was rebranded by new owner Elon Musk as X, but was suspended by the service following rioting at the US Capitol in January 2021 in which five people were killed. Twitter said it was “due to the risk of further incitement of violence,” after Trump, who lost the 2020 presidential election to Joe Biden, urged his supporters to go to the Capitol in protest. Trump launched his own network in February 2022, and has used his account to comment, lash out and attack perceived enemies.

‘Not Much Truth’ on Truth Social

A Biden campaign aide told Fox News Digital, a right-leaning outlet, that the name of Trump’s social network was misleading, because of what was posted on the site and app.

“There’s very little ‘truth’ happening on Truth Social, but at least now it’ll be a little fun,” the official said.

Promotional Platform

Since joining, the Biden team has been using their new account — and new online success — to promote the Democratic Party and criticize the policies of the Republicans. The account’s bio says “Just the facts, Jack,” in apparent reference to Trump’s tendency to make statements that are not factually correct, such as his assertion that he won the 2020 presidential election when he lost to Joe Biden.

Gearing Up for Nominations

Both parties will hold primaries around the United States at the start of 2024, and voters will be asked to select which candidate they want to run in the presidential election on November 5. Trump is leading the Republican field, by a wide margin of about 50 percentage points, while President Biden is the likely candidate for the Democrats.

A 2024 Rematch?

Trump may face-off against Biden following the primaries, in a rematch of the 2020 election, and both men are currently polling about equal. Around 40% of registered Democratic and Republican voters say they will vote for their respective candidate in the presidential election, successive polls show.

Big Trump Hurdles

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But Trump is facing an avalanche of federal charges — 91 in total — after being indicted four times, including for alleged election interference. He is also fighting civil cases, including fraud at his Trump Organisation that the trial has already found occurred.

Jail Time and Fine?

If convicted of attempting to overturn the results of the 2020 election and block the transfer of presidential power, Trump could be jailed for up to 20 years, the maximum that prosecutors are calling for. Prosecutors in the fraud trial have called for a fine of at least $250 million, and Trump faces losing control of the Trump Organization’s licenses, some of which have been revoked by the court after evidence of “years-long” fraud was discovered.

Biden Camp Concerns

There are also concerns at team Biden as the country heads into the next election cycle. Most worries are not over the Biden administration’s policies but the president’s age, 80, and recent gaffes in which he appeared incoherent, as well as trips and stumbles. That leaves some wondering if Biden is too old and infirm to contest another election, a grueling process that requires high levels of energy and stamina — and, if he was returned to the White House, if he would be able to govern properly.

Fighting It Out on Social Media

Now that Biden and Trump are both on Truth Social, as well as X, it’s likely they will use the two platforms to hammer home their election messaging as well as to attack the rival candidate. Analysts say both teams are eager to maximize their exposure online, particularly to reach younger audiences who largely shun traditional media, even if that means having to join the social media network of a rival candidate.