Trump’s Social Media Platform Serves Unfortunate Ads Next to President’s Posts Mourning Charlie Kirk’s Killing: ‘50% OFF BEACH SALE!’
AP Photo/Evan Vucci
Like most social media platforms, President Donald Trump’s Truth Social features its fair share of advertisements. That is not unusual for any website, of course, as the internet is rife with all kinds of ads ranging from forgettable to bizarre to gross, even.
However, the placement of ads on Trump’s social media platform on Wednesday night was unfortunate to say the least, as Trump paid tribute to slain conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Kirk was gunned down while speaking at Utah Valley University with a single shot to the neck. As of Wednesday evening, the killer, who reportedly shot Kirk from about 200 yards away, remains at large and is believed to be someone who is well acquainted with long-range rifles.
Trump posted about the shooting four times, including a four-minute video in which he vowed to track down those responsible. The other three were written posts about the shooting.
Using Google Chrome for desktop, this writer visited Trump’s Truth Social feed about six times over the span of several hours and was served a slew of ads directly underneath the president’s posts. The site’s design makes it so that posts are all but indistinguishable from the ads they appear next to, aside from a thin, gray line and a “Featured Ad” tag appearing at the bottom.
“We must all pray for Charlie Kirk, who has been shot,” Trump wrote after news of the shooting broke. “A great guy from top to bottom. GOD BLESS HIM!” Underneath the post, an ad for an alleged tinnitus remedy appeared.
Truth Social
On a different visit to the site, a MyPillow ad appeared under the post.
Truth Social
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead,” the president wrote in his next post, confirming Kirk’s death. “No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!”
On this particular visit, an ad for the “Best Ways to Drain Lymph Fluid in Ankles and Legs” featuring Hercules actor Kevin Sorbo appeared underneath.
Truth Social
Here is another ad for the same product under the same post.
Truth Social
Another ad under the post says “BLACK JESUS IS A DUD.”
Truth Social
“In honor of Charlie Kirk, a truly Great American Patriot, I am ordering all American Flags throughout the United States lowered to Half Mast until Sunday evening at 6 P.M.,” Trump wrote in another post. Underneath the post was an ad featuring an image of a map sleeping while sitting upright.
Truth Social
Another ad under the post on a separate visit advertised a MyPillow “Beach Sale!”
Truth Social
Another ad under Trump’s post ordering flags to be lowered after Kirk’s killing showed a woman smiling.
Truth Social
Yet another ad showed feet partially wrapped in plastic.
Truth Social
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