Former President Donald Trump insists heâs enjoying his life off Twitter. The press releases his aides fire off on an increasingly frequent basis are more âelegant,â he says. Plus thereâs no risk of backlash for retweeting unsavory accounts. But since Trump was barred from major social media channels after helping incite the deadly Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, his power to shape the national conversation is being tested. Trump transformed from a reality television star to a politician and president by bending the tools of communication and the media to his will. He still connects with his supporters through his releases and appearances on Fox News and other conservative outlets, where he repeats misinformation about the 2020 election. And he remains a powerful force in the Republican Party, with a starring role Saturday at a Republican National Committee event that will be held at his Mar-a-Lago club.