Gettr—Twitter-Like Right-Wing Platform—Claims User Surge After Plugs By Rogan, Marjorie Taylor Greene

Topline

The right-wing social media platform Gettr is lauding what it says is a “disruption in the social media landscape” following Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s permanent ban from Twitter, with the website, led by a former Trump associate, claiming a boost in users after controversy-prone figures joined in response to Greene’s ban.

Joe Rogan performs during his appearance at the Ice House Comedy Club on Nov. 1, 2017 in Pasadena, … [+] California. (Photo by Michael Schwartz/WireImage)

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Key Facts

Podcaster Joe Rogan, who’s recently promoted unproven Covid treatments, is the most prominent new user and appears to be driving the surge in large part, saying he created an account “just in case sh-t over at Twitter gets even dumber.”

Gettr, which bills itself as a cancel-free platform and is used by numerous right-wing conspiracy theorists, claimed in a news release that more than 500,000 new users have signed up since Rogan joined on Sunday, which is the biggest spike since the website launched on July 4, 2021.

Greene was permanently banned from Twitter Sunday morning following “repeated violations” for spreading Covid misinformation, and also received a 24 hour suspension from Facebook for the same reason.

Crucial Quote

“When Joe Rogan says that the establishment social media giants might get ‘even dumber,’ people listen and join the migration,” said Gettr founder and CEO Jason Miller, who served as chief spokesman for former President Donald Trump’s 2016 campaign and was a senior advisor for his 2020 reelection bid.

Key Background

Gettr was conceived following Trump’s suspension from every major social media platform after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Several right-wing social media websites gained traction following Trump’s bans and crackdowns by Big Tech giants Facebook and Twitter on posting false information about the result of the 2020 presidential election. Sites like Parler and Gab quickly grew as Twitter alternatives, but Parler struggled to stay online and Gab dealt with a series of hacks and glitches. Gettr has proven to have more staying power than other sites, with Miller saying the privately held company is backed by a “consortium of international investors,” including funding from a foundation led by Chinese tycoon Guo Wengui, who holds a membership at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and has previously worked with Steve Bannon.

Big Number

Nearly 4 million. That’s how many users Gettr claims to have, which is only a small fraction of Twitter’s 330 million monthly active users.

Surprising Fact

Trump does not have a Gettr account, but defended Marjorie Taylor Greene and said “everybody should drop off of Twitter and Facebook” in a statement Monday night.

What To Watch For

Trump plans to launch his own social media platform, called TRUTH Social, during the first quarter of this year. Reuters reported investors have been shown a demo version of the website, which appears very similar to a Twitter feed, and could potentially put it in direct competition with Gettr. Miller said he attempted to broker a deal with Trump before TRUTH Social was announced in October, but an agreement couldn’t be reached.