The chief executive of GETTR, a new social media platform that appeals to MAGA world, hit back on Wednesday at claims it was 'inundated' by ISIS extremists, saying the reports were based on research funded by Facebook, Google, Microsoft and other competitors.
Jason Miller, who was previously spokesman for former President Trump, said the result was a hit piece designed to discredit the new venture.
GETTR launched last month and is approaching two million users.
But on Monday Politico reported the platform was awash with propaganda spread by supporters of the Islamic State - including video of beheadings.
It said it was alerted to the content by Moustafa Ayad, of the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, a think tank that tracks online extremism.
Miller said the work was funded by Big Tech.
'If you go to Mr. Moustafa Ayad's website - the Institute for Strategic Dialogue - he lists [his funding sources] out. Facebook, Google, YouTube, Microsoft,' he told former Trump adviser Steve Bannon on his War Room radio show.
'Industry Big Tech giants are who fund him and they don't even point that out in the story.'
Ex- Trump adviser Jason Miller led GETTR's launch on July 4 and hit back at reports the platform was inundated with ISIS propaganda, saying the research was funded by Big Tech
ISIS members have predicted GETTR will be successful and moved in to exploit its free speech promises (file image). Miller said all major platforms had battled extremist content
On the Apple store, GETTR advertises itself as a 'non-bias social network' that will 'allow anyone to express their opinion freely.' It has the highest profile of any conservative alternatives to mainstream social media
He said it was all a part of a liberal conspiracy to silence opposition.
'Here's the thing. They're scared of us,' he said.
'They know that we're growing. There know that we've added 2 million users to the platform.'
In an earlier riposte, published by the right wing National Pulse website, Miller wrote that it was inevitable that Big Tech would have its knives out for a start-up.
'It’s a team of heavyweights, with Audible, Facebook, GIFCT, Google, Google.org, Jigsaw, Microsoft, and YouTube listed as private sector funders of the Institute,' he wrote.
'In short, Politico failed to disclose that the primary detractor in their story is funded by GETTR’s competitors in the tech and social media marketplace.'
Research by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue has been cited by the BBC, CNN, NBC News and other media organizations.
Conservatives have been seeking out new spaces online as major social media platforms clamped down on election misinformation and misleading COVID-19 posts.
Trump himself was banned from Twitter and Facebook amid the fall-out from the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and has hinted that he is planning his own platform.
GETTR so far has the highest profile of any conservative alternatives to mainstream social
