Early Friday morning, Twitter followed through on their threats to censor President Trump by flagging a tweet by the 45th President, which followers must click on to see the message. According to the message appearing over the tweet, they claim Trump violated Twitter’s rules against “glorifying violence.” Users also cannot like or comment on the tweet.
But the President’s tweet did not appear to incite violence. Rather, the President tweeted support for apparent victim of police brutality, the slain George Floyd, writing, “….These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts. Thank you!”
Later that morning, President Trump wrote on Twitter, “‘The President has been targeted by Twitter.’ @MariaBartiromo What about all of the lies and fraudulent statements made by Adam Schiff, and so many others, on the Russian Witch Hunt Plus, Plus, Plus? What about China’s propaganda? WHO’s mistakes? No flags? @foxandfriends”
The censorship comes just days after Facebook’s Mark Zuckerburg blasted Twitter, saying, “I don’t think that Facebook or internet platforms, in general, should be arbiters of truth.” He continued, “Political speech is one of the most sensitive parts in a democracy, and people should be able to see what politicians say.”
“We’ve taken action in the interest of preventing others from being inspired to commit violent acts, but have kept the Tweet on Twitter because it is important that the public still be able to see the Tweet given its relevance to ongoing matters of public importance,” wrote Twitter about their censorship of the President’s tweet.