President Trump began posting on the Trump-owned social media platform Truth Social after being banned from Twitter in 2021.Bloomberg via Getty ImagesPresident Trump began his social media presence on Twitter in 2009.Since then, he's amassed millions of followers, and some of his posts have sparked controversy.Trump started a new social media platform, Truth Social, after being banned from Twitter in 2021."Many are saying I'm the best 140 character writer in the world. It's easy when it's fun," then-private-citizen Donald Trump wrote in a 2012 tweet.In the nearly two decades since his first Twitter post, Trump's social media updates have evolved from well-wishes, promotional posts, and inspirational quotes into a more combative presence — one that has repeatedly sparked controversy, shaped news cycles, and helped the president build a massive online following.Earlier this week, following a lengthy post criticizing Pope Leo XIV, he posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social that appeared to depict himself as Jesus.

He later deleted the post, telling reporters, "It's supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better, and I do make people better."The image drew the ire of Christian conservatives. Journalist Megan Basham called it "OUTRAGEOUS blasphemy" on X (formerly Twitter), while former congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene said in a CNN interview that she was "very offended."The episode underscores how much Trump's online persona has shifted since he joined Twitter in 2009, when the internet landscape also looked very different. At the time, only 32% of Americans had ever used a cellphone to access the internet, according to Pew Research Center, and MySpace was about to be overtaken by Facebook as the most popular social media platform in the US.As well as his online persona, Trump's posting habits have shifted.

After Twitter banned him in 2021 (before restoring his account in 2022), he launched Truth Social, which became his primary social media home. By 2025, WCVB Boston reported, Trump was posting an average of 18 times a day across social platforms. His all-time record came in 2020, when he shared 200 tweets in a single day.Trump's posts have looked very different over the years, though some characteristics have remained the same.See how Trump's Twitter and Truth Social presence has evolved.Donald Trump's first tweet promoted a TV appearance on David Letterman's showBe sure to tune in and watch Donald Trump on Late Night with David Letterman as he presents the Top Ten List tonight!— Donald J.

Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 4, 2009 In 2009, Trump was primarily known as a businessman and reality TV star for his NBC show "The Apprentice," which was in its fifth year.For the first few years, Trump's Twitter account was handled by his marketing staff and was used to promote interviews and TV appearances. A few occasional messages from Trump himself — mostly well-wishes and holiday greetings — were always accompanied by a "From Trump" note.Inspirational quotes were another mainstay on Trump's profile in the early years"Strive for wholeness and keep your sense of wonder intact." --Donald J.

Trump http://tinyurl.com/pqpfvm— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 14, 2009 Following the publication of his book "Think Like a Champion: An Informal Education in Business and Life" in April 2009, Trump's Twitter account often shared positive quotes from the work.In 2011, criticism of President Obama and media personalities marked a change in tone@Obama - Iranian weapons killing Americans in Iraq? What are u doing about this? http://t.co/pBnwzEa— Donald J.

Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 8, 2011 In July 2011, Trump began using Twitter to criticize the Obama administration. Within two months, he had amassed over 30 tweets about the president.Starting that year, Trump also used Twitter to push a rumor that Obama was born in Kenya. Although Obama made his birth certificate public in April 2011 and dismissed the claim as "silliness" in a public address, Trump continued to fuel the conspiracy theory online.Let's take a closer look at that birth certificate. @BarackObama was described in 2003 as being "born in Kenya." http://t.co/vfqJesJL— Donald J.

Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 18, 2012 (In 2016, Trump publicly acknowledged Obama had been born in the US.)During this time, Trump was handwriting his tweets and replies in Sharpie and handing them to his then-social media manager, Justin McConney, to be published, Politico reported.Among his online name-calling in 2011, Trump turned on Vanity Fair magazine, feuded with MSNBC anchor Lawrence O'Donnell, and criticized other media figures."Sleepy" Chuck Todd of NBC falls far short of the late great Tim Russert.— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) September 28, 2011 By this time, Trump had passed 800,000 Twitter followers.Trump waded into other debates via posts, including statements on global warmingOne week in November 2012, he tweeted about global warming eight times, includ