Fans of the Donald Trump-supporting businessman were left frustrated and confused on Friday morning after the website’s planned launch for early users—which made them submit their phone numbers—did not take place as promised.
As previously reported, followers on the chat app Telegram complained about a lack of communication from Lindell regarding the unexplained delay.
Now, a placeholder website set up for the platform has replaced a video that contained Lindell’s promises about VIP access with an image detailing times for a launch, which theoretically would leave the site open to the global public.
“I’m excited to launch my new social media and broadcast platform Frank at 8 am CT Monday morning,” a statement attributed to Lindell read.
“I will be broadcasting live at Frankspeech.com beginning at 9 am CT. I will have an historical announcement followed by a lineup of guests. Please sign up and create your personal profile at Frank beginning at 8am CT time Monday morning April 19.”
It was not immediately clear who would be included in the lineup of guests or what the “historical announcement” would be, but Lindell has previously confirmed that he would be using the platform to broadcast a new documentary about election fraud.
Lindell previously told radio host Eric Metaxas: “I’m going to dump all this evidence for all to see every day on my new platform Frank, where the world can’t suppress it.”
An earlier documentary-style film helmed by Lindell was removed from social media sites, including Facebook and YouTube, for spreading misinformation.
The MyPillow CEO is currently facing a $1.3 billion defamation lawsuit filed by the voting machine firm Dominion Voting Systems after Lindell alleged, without verifiable evidence, that it helped rig the 2020 presidential election outcome in favor of Joe Biden.
In a post on the chat app Telegram on Sunday, Lindell urged followers to spread the message about the platform’s launch without addressing the failed VIP launch. As of Monday, it had attracted more than 2,000 comments. While many users appeared to be excited about the new website, others were critical after being disappointed last week.
One wrote: “That’s great, except I’ve been waiting to get in as a VIP all day, will there be no VIP access now?” Another said: “I’m sick of waiting. Signed up right away. Got my vip number. Still nothing. Geez Mike why you tell us if it wasn’t happening?”
In a post that summed up the vibe of followers who were cautious about taking Lindell’s word, one user noted: “Bit nervous — signed up early and nothin’ works.”
Lindell has claimed Frank will be a “free speech” platform, but won’t allow users to use swear words, upload pornography or take God’s name in vain. The site was described as a mixture of YouTube and Twitter. How it works in reality remains to be seen.
