Laura Loomer is one of Parler News’ most popular accounts; she was kicked off Twitter. Image by Getty Images

By David Ian Klein November 9, 2020

Parler, a social networking site that bills itself as “the free speech social network” has hit the top of both Apple and Google app store download charts in the wake of Joe Biden’s electoral victory, called by news media on Saturday.

Though exact numbers are not clear, the site’s founder posted on the site that around 2 million members have joined in the past few days.

“All these new accounts snuck up on us out of nowhere… I mean, we expected a million or so people today… but 2? You guys are crazy,” John Matze, the CEO of Parler, posted on Sunday.

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The site has become a haven for far-right figures like Laura Loomer who have been banned from more mainstream outlets, as well as others on the right who just feel snubbed by Twitter and Facebook.

“Speak freely and express yourself openly, without fear of being “deplatformed” for your views,” says Parler’s website, just above a cartoon of a user wearing a yarmulke.

When joining the site for the first time, the network serves up a selection of popular accounts to follow, including notables like Sean Hannity, Ted Cruz, PragerU and Dinesh D’Souza.

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