Trump Truth Social paid access draws scrutiny

Trump Media and Technology Group's paid Truth API service has drawn scrutiny from US lawmakers and market watchers because it offers subscribers rapid access to President Donald Trump's Truth Social posts before the general public sees them.

The company launched the service on Saturday after first unveiling it in mid-July. Subscribers are supposed to get almost instantaneous access to Trump's messages, including posts that can concern issues such as tariffs or war developments that may affect markets.

Axios reported that monthly subscription rates for early access run from $60,000 to $100,000. The Wall Street Journal reported that five trading companies signed up shortly after the launch.

Art Hogan, an analyst with B. Riley Wealth Management, told AFP the service is aimed at giving fast investors and algorithms a split-second advantage.

Democratic Senator Mark Warner said Tuesday on X that he had introduced a bill to ensure all Americans have free and equal access to public announcements from government officials. Senators Elizabeth Warren and Adam Schiff last week called for a Securities and Exchange Commission probe into what they called an abuse of the presidency for personal benefit.

Ann Lipton, a University of Colorado Boulder law professor who specializes in stock market regulation, said Trump knows the value of his statements and that posts capable of moving markets could make the paid service more valuable.

Trump has dismissed concerns about his personal financial interests. Last month, he defended making around $1.2 billion through cryptocurrency ventures in 2025, saying that everyone was profiting from a stock market boom since he returned to the White House. A CNN/SSRS poll released in late July said 64% of respondents felt Trump had gone too far in pursuing personal financial interests while in office. Forbes estimated that Trump's net worth rose from $2.3 billion to $6.5 billion since 2024.