Lead

Trump Media & Technology Group, the owner of Truth Social, has discussed charging Wall Street traders and investment firms as much as US$100,000 a month for faster access to US President Donald Trump's posts on the platform, according to people familiar with the matter. The company has also pitched a discounted rate of US$60,000 per month for firms that commit to a three-year plan, the sources said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the discussions are confidential.

The move marks the company's first step into data licensing and opens a new revenue stream, though it has already drawn criticism from Democrats. US Senator Ron Wyden of Oregon, the highest-ranking Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, said the plan would financially benefit the Trump family and "make Wall Street traders rich."

Coverage Comparison

Reporting on the story has focused on the financial implications of the proposed service and the potential conflict of interest it raises. The BBC's coverage highlighted the company's launch of a paid service to give Wall Street firms high-speed access to its most influential posts, noting that the service is likely aimed at financial traders who want to see market-moving news quickly. The BBC also reported that Trump Media's interim boss, Kevin McGurn, said the service would create a steady profit, and that the company plans to block firms that have been copying its data without permission.

The South China Morning Post's coverage centered on the pricing details, reporting that Trump Media discussed charging up to US$100,000 a month and offered a discounted three-year plan. The Post also quoted Senator Wyden's criticism and noted that the company unveiled the Truth API feed without disclosing pricing.

Both outlets reported that the service, named Truth API, will deliver posts to paying institutional clients in "milliseconds" and will run 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The BBC added that the service will provide updates from "the highest-ranking" accounts, with President Trump currently having the most followers on the platform.

Key Claims

  • Trump Media & Technology Group discussed charging Wall Street traders and investment firms up to US$100,000 a month for faster access to Trump's posts on Truth Social, according to people familiar with the matter, as reported by the South China Morning Post.
  • A discounted plan of US$60,000 per month is available for firms that sign up for a three-year commitment, the sources told the South China Morning Post.
  • The company unveiled a paid-for, licensed data feed called "Truth API" to provide banks and trading firms the fastest access to posts from the 10 most influential Truth Social accounts, as reported by both the BBC and the South China Morning Post.
  • The service will deliver posts to paying institutional clients in "milliseconds," according to the BBC.
  • Some firms have been copying Truth Social data without permission, and Trump Media will soon block these methods, forcing firms to buy the official feed instead, as reported by the BBC, citing interim boss Kevin McGurn.
  • US Senator Ron Wyden criticized the move, saying it would financially benefit the Trump family and "make Wall Street traders rich," as reported by the South China Morning Post.

Perspectives

Trump Media & Technology Group: The company, through interim boss Kevin McGurn, framed the service as a response to market demand, noting that "markets already move on Truth Social posts" and that the service will create a steady profit. McGurn also warned that firms copying data without permission will be blocked, positioning the paid feed as the official and legitimate access point.

Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon): The senator criticized the move, arguing that it would financially benefit the Trump family and "make Wall Street traders rich," highlighting concerns about the intersection of the president's private business interests and his public role.