I ignored Trump’s “personal” messages. Ted Cruz and Don Jr. are not happy | News Today

Inspired mostly by curiosity, a few weeks ago I clicked on an invitation to join Donald Trump’s new social media app called Truth Social.

It is billed as a “Big Tent social media platform that encourages open, free and honest global conversation without discriminating against political ideology.”

I dutifully filled out all the blanks on the form – name, address, phone number, email – until I got to the part that asked me to click on the amount I wanted to donate. Boxes started at $ 35 and went up to $ 10,000. (According to the fine print, donations go to the National Republican Senate Committee.)

Due to my job, I do not donate to politicians or political causes. I do not sign petitions either. Some of the media colleagues I’ve worked with over the years don’t even vote – at least not for the people they write about – because they think it would compromise their ability to be objective in their reporting.

So, no, I wasn’t about to pay to join the inner circle of Truth Socializers – especially since it costs nothing to get on the app’s waitlist, which should start. in the first quarter of 2022.

I refused to enter a credit card number, closed the form, and naively thought that would be the end of it.

I was wrong.

The Trump machine is not giving up; in fact, its performance is even more impressive than those telemarketers warning us that our social security number has been hacked. (Don’t believe it. It’s a scam.)

Over the past two weeks, I’ve received up to seven texts a day – all on my home phone – from Team Trump.

Here is an example :

“WOW. Don’t ignore Trump’s PERSONAL message, Stephanie. We NEED you to save our nation from Biden’s presidency.”

“Stephanie, don’t make us tell Trump you’re IGNORING his dinner invitation. We still have time. Enter to win. “

“Why didn’t you take the election year poll? Are you becoming a Democrat? “

The story continues

“Stephanie, you ALWAYS haven’t signed Trump’s Christmas card! “

“Stephanie, have you GOT OUT on Trump?” Repair your reputation.

“It’s Don Jr .: I told my dad he can count on YOUR support to restore his Majority in 2022. Contribute here.”

“It’s Ted Cruz: we’re just ONE SEAT away from taking over the majority of the GOP. “

“Stephanie, we need 82 more responses from your area – take our election year survey HERE.

CONGRATULATIONS Stephanie, we have extended your chance to WIN a Melania Trump White House Ornament Set! Enter the next 15 MIN.

As you probably guessed, a donation was required to take the survey, sign Trump’s Christmas card, or have a chance to win Melania’s ornaments, which I am told are the EXACT ornaments that hung on Trump’s White House.

But hey, I was able to access an EXCLUSIVE video for TOP PATRIOTS.

It turned out to be a brief message from Trump himself, thanking his audience for their love, affection and respect and promising that the GOP would take over the Senate, House and White House ” sooner than you think ”.

“The Republican Party is stronger than it’s ever been and it’s going to be a lot stronger than it is now,” Trump said in the “exclusive” video.

That is just about everything. Not even a Merry Christmas or a Happy New Year. Just more posture.

If this is a preview of Truth Social, too bad for the promise of a Big Tent.

So much for encouraging open, free and honest conversation.

So much for welcoming people of “all political stripes” and “all different points of view”.

Sorry, Don Jr. You too, Ted.

Despite your persistence, I will not sign up for these Christmas decorations or for the opportunity to add my name to Trump’s Christmas card.

It was fun, but I’m going to have to break it up. On the next SMS you send me, I will respond with “STOP”.