There was a time when Donald Trump was considered the most controversial Twitter user, which is quite impressive since there are almost 400 million users worldwide. As the old saying goes, when one door closes, another one opens. Trump has brought this phrase to life through his relationship with social media.  

It’s important to note that Trump was not just your average Twitter user. The former president of the United States was one of the first (and only) world leaders to use the social media platform as their main form of communication. Every move Trump made trended on the platform and was analyzed and talked about by people all around the world, not just the country he oversaw. There is an actual Wikipedia page titled “Social media use by Donald Trump” that talks about his Twitter use in the first sentence, and highlights some of his most memorable tweets through his presidency.  

The Twitter use of Trump came to an end on Jan. 6, right after the United States Capitol attack, which was planned heavily through social media. Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Snapchat and Twitch (yes Twitch) all suspended Trump indefinitely, and the suspensions are still active as of the publication of this article.  

That’s where the door opened for Truth Social, Trump’s up-and-coming social media platform that he has begun designing. It will have a limited launch in Nov. 2021 and a full public launch in 2022. This is also where that old saying mentioned earlier comes into play. When one door closes, another one opens, and that’s especially true when you’re Donald Trump. You can create and open your own doors.  

The big question is: Will people use this new social media platform? Students here at Iona College were split on their decisions.  

Iona College junior Zenaida Perez is a part of those who would not get the app. “Personally I would not want to join the app because I don’t want see the hate that will be spewed on the platform,” Perez said. “The worst part about it is that there will be a lot of people rallying behind the hate.”  

Other students noted that they did not want to be associated with the app because future employers might disapprove. 

However, there are some Gaels who would get the app. Junior Cameron Deshnad says he believes the app could be entertaining.  

“I don’t want to post on the app, I just want to see what other people post,” Deshnad said. “Twitter has been very tame since Trump left; I wonder how this app will be if both political parties are on the platform.”  

Other students expressed excitement at the thought that the app could become Twitter 2.0, as Trump uses the same model to get his messages out to the public. 

There’s no denying that the app will be filled with controversy. Whether or not the app will be as popular as the apps Trump is banned from remains to be seen. Its November launch is highly anticipated, and for some people it can’t come any sooner.