Why are Twitter users comparing Elon Musk’s idea for a Twitter-like app to Trump’s Truth Official?

Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla Inc, said in a tweet on Saturday that he is giving “serious thought” to creating a new social media platform.

Mr Musk was responding to a Twitter user’s question about whether he would consider building a social media platform based on an open-source algorithm that prioritised free speech and minimised propaganda.

Truth Social, Donald Trump’s new social media app, began a gradual rollout late Sunday and is expected to be “fully operational” by late March. Trump has described Truth Social as a competitor to Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Truth Social was available for pre-order on the App Store on Sunday.

Truth Social, Donald Trump’s new social media network, got off to a rocky start on its first day, with some users unable to register and others receiving error messages. Trump Media & Technology Group, which aims to compete with big tech companies with offerings ranging from social media to streaming, launched Truth Social to provide a platform for the former US President after he was banned from Twitter and Facebook.

The Truth Social app, which was launched on Presidents’ Day and has been reported to be in testing since December, also informs users that there is a lengthy waiting list to sign up.

Elon Musk, a frequent Twitter user, has recently been critical of the social media platform and its policies.

He claims that the company is undermining democracy by violating free speech principles.