Conservative YouTube Alternative Rumble To Open U.S. Headquarters In Longboat Key

LONGBOAT KEY, FL — Online video-sharing platform Rumble will open a U.S. headquarters in Longboat Key, according to a news release from the company.

The platform, a YouTube alternative, is based in Toronto and popular among conservative influencers and right-wing viewers, the Washington Post reported. As of August, Rumble has more than 40 million monthly average users, the company said.

Former President Donald Trump turned to Rumble after being banned from multiple social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis also regularly uses the site to shares state news with residents. Other prominent figures on the site include U.S. representatives Matt Gaetz and Devin Nunes, Sen. Rand Paul, former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, Sean Hannity, and Ben Shapiro.

During the pandemic, Rumble also evolved into a space to share misinformation about coronavirus and vaccines, the Post said. While YouTube established a “COVID-19 medical misinformation” policy and removes content about the pandemic “that poses a serious risk of egregious harm” — essentially, anything that contradicts the World Health Organization or local health authorities — Rumble allows these videos to remain.

With a lease signed in Sarasota County, Rumble estimates it will invest about $50 million in Florida over the next several years.

"Moving to Longboat Key is a win-win for Rumble and the Sarasota community," Chris Pavlovski, CEO, said. "Sarasota County is growing rapidly, and we are excited to be part of the growth. We plan to fill 20 (to) 25 new positions in Florida immediately for our U.S. headquarters, with many more planned for the future. This move positions us to continue providing a platform to content creators without the threats from big tech monopolies. We are excited to invest in Florida in the coming years while we continue to grow Rumble."

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DeSantis welcomed the company to Florida, adding that he supports “its mission to promote free expression and stand up to Big Tech censorship.”

The governor said, "Over the past year, we have seen businesses flock to Florida from across the country because, as long as I am governor, our state will be free and built for opportunity. We wish Rumble all the best in their endeavors in Florida, and we look forward to watching their success."

Rumble said that its discussions with local officials and stakeholders led the company to choose Sarasota County as its U.S. home because of the area's “friendly business climate; its proximity to Tampa, one of the fastest growing tech cities in America; and the potential for further development.”

The Economic Development Corporation of Sarasota County and Enterprise Florida both played a key role in bringing Rumble to Sarasota, the company said.