Despite being formally reinstated on Twitter, Donald Trump expressed skepticism about his future use of the social media site. After the riot at the U.S. Capitol building on January 6, 2021, Trump was previously suspended from Twitter for allegedly inciting the violence or out of concern that he might do so in the future.
Trump announced that he would not be switching back to Twitter in a post on Truth Social, a social media platform he has used since being given a lifetime ban in January 2021.
“Vote now with positivity, but don’t worry, we aren’t going anywhere. Truth Social is special!” he posted.
Twitter CEO Elon Musk officially reinstated Trump over the weekend after conducting a poll that received more than 15 million votes from users.
“Reinstate former President Trump: Yes or No,” the poll asked.
Fifty-two percent of users said yes he should be allowed back to the platform, which has already restored other lifetime bans, such as the Babylon Bee, Kathy Griffin, and Jordan Peterson accounts.
“The people have spoken. Trump will be reinstated,” Musk wrote. “Vox Populi, Vox Dei.”
The people have spoken.
Trump will be reinstated.
Vox Populi, Vox Dei. https://t.co/jmkhFuyfkv
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 20, 2022
More than 134 million people saw the poll, according to Musk.
Trump, however, announced he would not be returning to the platform, even if he were reinstated.
“I am not going on Twitter, I am going to stay on TRUTH,” Trump said. “I hope Elon buys Twitter because he’ll make improvements to it and he is a good man, but I am going to be staying on TRUTH.”
Since taking over the platform, Musk has come under almost constant fire for firing the majority of its senior leadership and staff, overhauling the platform’s subscription and verification system, and announcing numerous changes to its moderation.
