Former President Donald Trump is set to release a new interview scheduled to air on Thursday with longtime TV psychologist "Dr. Phil" McGraw — but there's a catch.
Specifically, the interview will be streaming exclusively on Dr. Phil's own app, Merit+, rather than on YouTube, X, or any of the primary right-wing platforms like Rumble.
The arrangement triggered grumbling from Trump supporters, many of whom aren't sure whether they trust Dr. Phil and want to know why they have to download his app rather than stream it on a more open platform.
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"Yes, show it here on X too," said an account that appears to promote both Trump and cryptocurrency. Another such account wrote, "It should be on X, Dr Phil! You would get the best reach on this platform."
"I just downloaded it. I didn't know Dr. Phil had an app," said one user on X, to which another replied, "I’ll have to download it but it’s not going to reach enough people that way! Trump should air it on rumble or something." The first agreed: "Yes, let's hope so! If it wasn't for this post, I wouldn't know anything about it."
"Sir, we should not have to have an app to listen to our president," wrote the account "Tracy Smith" indignantly. "I’m not downloading an app to listen to my president! If you can’t afford us that! We will see Trump at a rally or on another interview!"
The criticism over the choice of platform was not limited to commenters on X, either; some Trump supporters made similar complaints on Facebook posts advertising the interview.
"This is b------- would never have worked on the OWN station," said one commenter named Carmen Cain Banner. "Who is this boot leg Merit Street Media. Will not be watching this station anymore."
