Trump makes return to twitter with 88 million followers

If you thought you’d seen it all in the wild world of social media, buckle up because Donald Trump is back on what was once known as Twitter, now rebranded as X. And let’s just say, this return is causing some major shockwaves—especially among liberals who might’ve been hoping the ex-president had moved on for good.

Trump has 88 million followers on his personal @realdonaldjtrump account. Kamala harris has 14 million followers on her official vice president account, which can not be used for campaigning.

A Brief History of Trump and Twitter

Donald Trump and Twitter have always had a love-hate relationship. Before his infamous ban in January 2021, Trump was arguably one of Twitter’s most prolific users, amassing over 88 million followers. His tweets were a mix of policy announcements, personal jabs, and outright provocations, making his account one of the most followed and controversial on the platform.

However, after the January 6th Capitol insurrection, Twitter took the unprecedented step of permanently suspending Trump’s account, citing the risk of further incitement of violence. This was a seismic move that divided public opinion, with many celebrating the ban as a stand against hate speech, while others decried it as censorship.

Not one to be silenced, Trump decided to create his own social media platform—Truth Social. Launched in early 2022, Truth Social was designed as a “free speech” alternative to the mainstream platforms that Trump and his supporters felt were biased against conservatives. The app quickly became a hub for Trump supporters, but it never quite reached the same level of influence as Twitter.

Despite the initial buzz, Truth Social faced several hurdles, including technical glitches and limited user growth. However, it has remained Trump’s go-to platform for communicating with his base, especially after being shunned by the other big players in social media.

In October 2022, the social media landscape shifted again when Elon Musk, the billionaire entrepreneur behind Tesla and SpaceX, purchased Twitter for a cool $44 billion. Musk, who has a complicated relationship with the concept of free speech, immediately set about making changes to the platform. One of his most controversial moves? Reinstating Trump’s account after conducting a user poll that narrowly voted in favor of Trump’s return.

But here’s the twist—Trump didn’t immediately come back. Instead, he stuck with Truth Social, leaving his Twitter account dormant despite being reinstated. Many speculated that his return was inevitable, but it wasn’t until August 2024 that it became a reality.

Trump’s Triumphant Return

On August 12, 2024, Trump posted a commercial on X (formerly Twitter) teasing a major live interview with none other than Elon Musk himself. Set to take place that evening, the announcement sent shockwaves through social media and political circles alike. Musk, who had previously endorsed Trump’s presidential campaign, was now giving him a platform to speak to the masses—uncensored and unfiltered.

The anticipation for this interview is through the roof, as Trump’s return to X is seen as a potential game-changer for his 2024 presidential campaign. Supporters are thrilled, while critics are already bracing themselves for what promises to be a highly unpredictable and possibly explosive conversation.

Will Trump’s return to X be a one-time event, or is he back for good? That remains to be seen. What’s clear, though, is that this moment marks a significant chapter in the ongoing saga of Trump and social media. As Trump and Musk prepare to take the digital stage together, the world will be watching—some with excitement, others with dread, but everyone with bated breath.

So, grab your popcorn, because tonight’s interview might just be one for the history books. Whether you love him or hate him, there’s no denying that when Trump tweets (or posts), the world pays attention.

Phil Stilton Latest posts

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.