From Iowa to Wisconsin: Donald Trump’s Use of Truth Social in the 2024 Republican Primaries

Marta Pérez Gabaldón; Blanca Nicasio-Varea; Manuel Chavez

doi:10.4185/rlcs-2027-2713

Authors

Marta Pérez Gabaldón Universidad Cardenal Herrera CEU https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5734-0207
Blanca Nicasio-Varea Universitat de València https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6210-242X
Manuel Chavez Michigan State University https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0054-7818

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.4185/rlcs-2027-2713

Keywords:

political communication, social media, electoral campaigns, disinformation, polarization, U.S. Republican primaries, Donald Trump, alt-tech, populism

Abstract

Introduction: Following Donald Trump’s account cancellation from the social media platform Twitter in 2021, he founded Truth Social as an alternative platform for the dissemination of his campaign messages without the filter of the news media. This study analyses Donald Trump's strategic use of the Truth Social network during the 2024 Republican presidential primaries, from the Iowa caucuses to the Republican National Convention in Wisconsin. The study examines the way in which this new technological platform has become a pivotal instrument for mobilization, confrontation, and narrative construction. Methodology: A mixed quantitative and qualitative analysis of the 4,571 messages posted during the Republican primaries was conducted. Quantitatively, the number of posts, 'ReTruths', 'likes' and 'replies' were measured. The content classification as positive, negative or neutral is achieved through the application of a system comprising ten mutually exclusive categories. Results: The data demonstrate extensive utilisation of the platform to consolidate Trump’s personal identity and political discourse, while at the same time disparaging his political adversaries. Discussion: As a result of the previous points, Truth Social functions as a communication space that amplifies the dissemination of information unverified by the news media, thus favoring the circulation of controversial content. Conclusions: The analysis reveals an intensive, strategic communication pattern during the Republican primaries. Messages were slightly more positive, fostering mobilisation and leadership image, while negative content reinforced victimisation and identity cohesion. The findings indicate greater user engagement with negative messages, which contributes to the formation of an echo chamber that reinforces ideological reaffirmation and limits exposure to divergent perspectives.

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Author Biographies

Marta Pérez Gabaldón, Universidad Cardenal Herrera CEU

Full Professor of Political Science and Public Administration (accredited by ANECA) at Cardenal Herrera-CEU University and Associate Dean of the Political Science undergraduate program. She holds a Ph.D. from the same university, having received the Extraordinary Award (2012); her research has centered on three interconnected areas: intergovernmental relations and multilevel governance, public transparency and political communication, and the crisis of the rule of law. She has conducted research fellowships at international institutions such as Michigan State University and has participated in numerous conferences and competitive research projects. Her scholarly output includes articles in indexed journals, book chapters, the coordination of several edited volumes, and two monographs, which have resulted in two six-year research cycles.

Blanca Nicasio-Varea, Universitat de València

Professor of political science at the University of Valencia. She holds a six-year term of office recognized by the CNEAI (2019–2024). From 2015 to 2018, she worked as a parliamentary assistant at the European Parliament and in the Valencian Parliament (Les Corts Valencianes); from 2018 to 2025, she worked as a professor of Political Science at Cardenal Herrera-CEU University. In her publications, the author examines how political and institutional communication contributes to transparency and accountability, bringing public and political governance closer to citizens—a fundamental principle of democratic societies.

Manuel Chavez, Michigan State University

Professor of international and crisis journalism at the School of Journalism at Michigan State University. His recent research has focused on media coverage of issues related to U.S. borders, environmental issues, and the journalistic response to natural disasters and crises. Chávez has published several books and articles on these topics, as well as on issues related to development and trade in the Americas, intercultural communication, international communication, public diplomacy, and migration and cross-border issues. He directs the International Collaboration on Crisis Communication, which involves 12 international universities. He is President of the Association for Latino Media and Markets Research Scholars.

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