Former US President Donald Trump unleashed a torrent of over eighty social media posts in under two hours early on Monday, 5 January 2026, fiercely defending the controversial military capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.
A Blitzkrieg of Posts Defending Regime Change
The social media storm, which Trump dubbed a coverage of the 'TRUTH', was a direct response to mounting criticism of the operation. U.S. forces had forcibly taken Maduro into custody on January 3, following Trump's public calls for regime change in the South American nation. Trump has repeatedly accused Maduro's government of facilitating drug trafficking into the United States.
In his characteristic style, Trump used his Truth Social platform to share supportive messages and videos. One reshared post from a supporter, Eric Daugherty, claimed that "tens of THOUSANDS" of Venezuelans in Buenos Aires were celebrating Maduro's capture, and accused left-wing media of ignoring it. "The Fake News just won't cover the TRUTH!" Trump added in his own reply. The shared footage showed demonstrators with flares and Venezuelan flags, accompanied by loud music.
Widespread Condemnation from Unexpected Quarters
Despite Trump's online offensive, the operation has faced significant backlash. His 2024 election rival, former Vice President Kamala Harris, condemned the move on X, stating it risked troops and destabilised the region. She argued it was motivated by oil and Trump's "desire to play the regional strongman."
Criticism also came from figures typically aligned with Trump's political sphere. Notably, French far-right leader Marine Le Pen, once backed by Trump, broke ranks. While calling Maduro's regime "authoritarian," she insisted that "the sovereignty of states is never negotiable."
Conspiracy Theories and Election Claims Resurface
Trump's posting spree also veered into familiar territory beyond Venezuela. He amplified conspiracy theories regarding Somali immigration into Minnesota, suggesting a Democratic plot to influence elections through migrant influx. One post falsely labelled Somali-focused daycare centres as a "nationwide money laundering scheme."
He reshared an interview where former advisor Stephen Miller warned of a "Somalification of America." Furthermore, Trump revisited debunked claims about the 2020 election, alleging hundreds of thousands of his votes were deleted or switched to Joe Biden. These claims have been thoroughly discredited by experts and were certified as false by his own vice president, Mike Pence.
The intense, early-hours social media activity underscores Trump's continued use of the platform to confront critics and shape narratives, even as his actions draw rare bipartisan and international condemnation.
