It is a place to share opinion, news and cute pictures of dogs in clothes. But for President Donald Trump, Twitter is a catalyst for the success of his presidential run.
At the touch of a big blue button, the 45th President of the United States can reach his 61.9 million followers in seconds – almost the entire population of the UK.
His tweets often cause controversy, no less in the UK, for their personal touch on the world’s goings on.
In January 2016, a review by the New York Times found that one in every eight posts “was a personal insult of some kind”.
Just this week, Sir Kim Darroch resigned as UK ambassador to America after the President launched a scathing attack on Twitter following a series of leaked emails that contained criticisms by Sir Kim of the US administration.
The President took to Twitter to condemn the ambassador as “wacky, branding him a “pompous fool”. He also made clear his ministers and officials would “no longer deal with him”.
But while his followers have an insight into the intricacies of the President’s daily thoughts, what is the man himself subject to on his own Twitter feed?
A mere 47 people can say they are followed by @RealDonaldTrump on Twitter – nine of which are organisations in his own name.
Social media expert Hayley Smith says a Twitter endorsement from Mr Trump is where his “true influence” comes into play.
“Following accounts such as Fox News, Piers Morgan and Maria Bartiromo is important and sends a strong message that Mr Trump supports and verifies these individuals and their views,” said Ms Smith, of Boxed Out PR. “This provides them with a larger platform.
“Twitter has been an amazing and incredulous platform for Mr Trump, and he uses it to his advantage. – and other people use him to develop their own platform. In his own way, he is as much as an influencer as he is the President of the United States.”
Mr Trump has ensured several of his golf clubs and hotels are clearly displayed on his followed list, including branches in Las Vegas, Los Angeles and Washington DC.
However, his award-winning venues in Scotland appear to have been left out, with Turnberry, Ayrshire, and Trump International Golf Links, Aberdeenshire, failing to make the elite 47.
Seven of his small band hail from his direct family, with daughter Ivanka, wife Melania and son Eric just a few of the relatives making an appearance – and often receiving endorsement from the President in retweets.
It is not unusual for both his organisations and family to be among those followed by the President – but what of his other followers?
He has never shied away from his views on the media, some of which are not too savoury when outlets such as the New York Times and CNN are concerned.
Instead, the President elects to indulge in the Fox Network, having been a known viewer of the show Fox & Friends – which has made its way on to his following list, as a result.
The weekday morning news show joins hosts Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson, Maria Bartiromo and Laura Ingraham as an account associated with the network that is followed by the President’s handle.
It also appears the the President’s interests do not solely span to his own businesses or his favourite TV shows.
Controversial television presenter Piers Morgan is the only UK personality to make the exclusive list. The Good Morning Britain host is long-term friends with (and a fan of)
Mr Trump, and it is now almost traditional for the President to give his only TV interview in the UK to the presenter.
While his follower/following ratio is not out of the norm, the President’s decision to compose and publish his own tweets is something public relations experts advise against when it comes to celebrities and leading political figures.
“Twitter has completely changed the way we digest and receive news, with the platform allowing for instant quick buzz news,” said Tom Bourlet, marketing manager of Eventa.
“The platform also utilises the trending subjects to rank on Google for the latest news.
“When it comes to politicians, Twitter is the platform you expect to see them on, a respectable channel for them to discuss their plans with interested parties, as well as concerned residents.
“I often push brands to have their chief executive or managing director to have an active social account. However, these accounts should have scheduled social posts that are pre-determined, never posted at random, which is what makes the concept of the most powerful person in the world having free rein quite scary.”
Mr Trump’s use of social media has long been both hailed and criticised – and above all, has been an area of constant scrutiny. And although it comes under
fire from public relations and communications experts, it cannot be denied his influence is on par with some of the largest names on social media.
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