Trump offers paid early access to Truth Social posts, drawing corruption accusations

Donald Trump's media venture, Trump Media and Technology Group, officially rolled out a new paid data service on Saturday that allows subscribers to receive Truth Social posts earlier than the general public. The product, called Truth API, is designed for businesses seeking a direct, licensed, real-time feed of the platform's most market-moving statements, according to interim CEO Kevin McGurn. Trading firms and other paying clients can now access those posts ahead of other users by paying a monthly fee that can reach $100,000.

Similar paid data services exist on competing social media platforms, though the price tag here is notably steep. But Truth Social stands apart because its most prominent user is Trump himself, who also happens to be the largest shareholder of the publicly traded parent company. As a result, he could personally benefit from the service's revenue. His @realDonaldTrump account has 13 million followers and is routinely used to preview major policy decisions before they are announced elsewhere.

Critics have already described the offering as blatant evidence of market manipulation and insider trading. Trump has repeatedly used Truth Social to reveal significant policy moves capable of moving financial markets, including posts about tariffs and the Iran war.

The launch came just days after Democratic Senators Adam Schiff and Elizabeth Warren asked the Securities and Exchange Commission to investigate the new service. In a letter to SEC chair Paul Atkins, the lawmakers argued that the arrangement appears to be an outrageous abuse of the presidential office for personal gain, undermining everyday investors and market integrity while enriching Wall Street and wealthy insiders.

Last year, Trump published over 100 posts on Truth Social in a single day while global stock markets tumbled amid concerns his economic agenda could trigger a "Trumpcession." His Iran-related posts have drawn particular scrutiny because investors worry that rising oil prices could keep inflation elevated and potentially push the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates.

Trump Media's stock has fallen more than 70% since the president took office last year, erasing approximately $6 billion (£4.4 billion) in shareholder value. Those losses add to billions more in investor losses tied to new Trump family cryptocurrency ventures. Forbes reported that on Friday, one day before Truth API's debut, shares of Trump Media climbed 5.5% to $10.39. The company has primarily depended on advertising revenue, but the new API service could diversify its income streams if it proves successful.