Parler announces social media ‘special arrangement’ with Melania Trump

Parler announced on Wednesday that it is engaging in a social media “special arrangement” with former first lady Melania Trump where she will share “exclusive communications” on the social media network. 

Parler said that Trump would share “exclusive communications on Parler,” noting it is already powering her blockchain technology and nonfungible token platform, MelaniaTrump.com.

In a statement, Trump lauded the social network, which she said “empowers its users to foster productive discourse.”

“I am excited and inspired by free speech platforms that give direct communication to people worldwide. Parler has been on the forefront of utilizing Web3 technology and empowers its users to foster productive discourse,” the former first lady said.

The announcement by Parler comes close to a year since the social media platform relaunched its service after web services and app stores de-platformed it following Jan. 6, 2021, attack at the Capitol. 

The network had been found to be hosting discussions around the Capitol insurrection, and it has frequently been used as an alternative to right-wing social media users who are distrustful of mainstream tech companies. 

Former President Trump has had his Facebook account suspended and has been banned from Twitter following responses he posted to social media in the wake of the Capitol insurrection. The former president and some Republicans have criticized tech companies for what they call a censoring of conservative points of view. 

The former first lady still has active Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts, and it is unclear if her partnership with Parler will affect her activity on any of the three platforms.

“In the time that Parler and Mrs. Trump have been working together, we have found a new level of productivity and engagement with both her, her team, and her brand,” Parler CEO George Farmer said in a statement. “Parler is excited to take this step forward with her and continues to build out its product offering to support her professional evolution as one of the world’s leading icons.”