Debunking the Claim: Truth Social Was Never Blocked in Ukraine, Because It Was Never Available
A viral social media post falsely claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy had blocked access to Truth Social, the social media platform launched by former U.S. President Donald Trump, within Ukraine. This assertion, propagated through platforms like Threads and X (formerly Twitter), quickly gained traction, amassing thousands of likes and reposts. However, this claim has been thoroughly debunked by official sources, including Truth Social’s parent company and the Ukrainian government, as well as independent fact-checking organizations. The reality is that Truth Social has never been accessible to users in Ukraine, making the allegation of a block completely unfounded.
The initial post on Threads, which garnered over 200 likes in a single week, stated outright that "Zelensky has reportedly BLOCKED access to Truth Social in Ukraine." This statement, presented without any supporting evidence or credible sources, was amplified further by a similar post on X from conservative commentator Benny Johnson, which was reposted more than 8,000 times. The rapid spread of this misinformation highlights the ease with which false narratives can circulate and gain traction on social media, particularly when they align with pre-existing biases or political agendas.
To counter this misinformation, USA TODAY reached out to the relevant parties for clarification. Shannon Devine, a spokesperson for Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), the company that operates Truth Social, unequivocally stated that the claim was false. She emphasized that Truth Social has never been available to users in Ukraine, rendering the idea of Zelenskyy blocking access nonsensical.
Similarly, Heorhii Tykhyi, a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, addressed the false claim in a post on X. He stated that reports of Ukraine blocking Truth Social are entirely untrue. He further clarified that Ukraine could not have blocked access because the social network has never made itself available to users in Ukraine in the first place. This official denial from the Ukrainian government further solidified the debunking of the viral claim.
Adding weight to the refutation, Ukraine’s Center for Countering Disinformation also labeled the claim as false in a post on X, explicitly categorizing it as "Russian propaganda." This accusation suggests that the dissemination of this misinformation may be part of a broader effort to undermine Ukrainian leadership or sow discord.
A crucial point to remember is the history of Truth Social. Donald Trump announced his plans to launch the platform in October 2021, following his ban from other major social media platforms in the aftermath of the January 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol. The platform first appeared in Apple’s App Store in February 2022. However, its availability was initially limited exclusively to users in the United States and Canada. This limited launch geography effectively excludes Ukraine from the platform’s operational reach, making the allegation of a blocked access point technically impossible.
The absence of any credible news reports supporting the claim further underscores its falsehood. A thorough search of reputable news outlets reveals no evidence whatsoever that Zelenskyy has ever made any statements or taken any actions related to blocking access to Truth Social in Ukraine. The lack of corroborating evidence from any legitimate news source should raise significant red flags for anyone encountering this claim.
It is worth noting that Donald Trump’s access to other major social media platforms, including Twitter (now X), Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube, was eventually restored after being suspended in the wake of the January 6th riot. Elon Musk’s acquisition of Twitter in November 2022 led to the reinstatement of Trump’s account after a nearly two-year ban. Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced in January 2023 that it planned to restore Trump’s accounts, and YouTube made a similar announcement in March 2023. This context highlights the evolving landscape of Trump’s presence on social media and underscores the irony of a claim suggesting he is being blocked on a platform that has never been available in a particular country.
The social media user who initially shared the false claim could not be reached for comment, which further raises questions about the intent and motivation behind the dissemination of this misinformation. The fact that multiple fact-checking organizations, including PolitiFact and AFP, have also debunked the claim further reinforces its lack of credibility.
The spread of this false claim about Truth Social and Ukraine serves as a potent reminder of the challenges posed by misinformation in the digital age. The speed and ease with which false narratives can circulate on social media demand a critical and discerning approach to online information consumption. It is crucial to verify claims with credible sources, be wary of emotionally charged content, and be skeptical of information that lacks supporting evidence.
The debunking of this specific claim highlights the importance of fact-checking initiatives and the role of responsible journalism in combating misinformation. By actively verifying information and holding those who spread falsehoods accountable, we can collectively work towards a more informed and trustworthy online environment. The assertion that Zelenskyy blocked Truth Social in Ukraine is definitively false. The platform has never been available in the country, rendering the claim entirely baseless.
