Twitter permanently suspends Trump’s account to prevent ‘further incitement of violence’
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Twitter has permanently suspended the account of Donald Trump, citing his repeated violations of the company’s rules and risks including the “further incitement of violence”.
Twitter assessed two tweets sent by Trump on Friday morning as “highly likely to encourage and inspire people to replicate the criminal acts that took place at the US Capitol on January 6, 2021”, the company said in a statement.
The extraordinary decision carries pointed symbolism for the embattled president, whose use of social media to stoke hatred and fear fueled both his unlikely political rise and his presidency’s ignominious end.
It comes two days after a mob of Trump supporters violently stormed the US capitol, wrecking havoc in an attack that has resulted in five deaths. Even as the rampage continued, Trump tweeted in praise of the rioters, prompting Twitter to temporarily suspend his account, with a warning that any further infractions would lead to a permanent ban.
Video: Twitter has suspended President Trump permanently due to the risk of further incitement of violence (CNBC)
Twitter has suspended President Trump permanently due to the risk of further incitement of violence
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Facebook banned Trump from posting on its platforms at least through Joe Biden’s inauguration, citing the risk of inciting violence, increasing pressure on Twitter to finally unplug the erratic president’s bullhorn.
Related: ‘Four years of propaganda’: Trump social media bans come too late, experts say
“In the context of horrific events this week, we made it clear on Wednesday that additional violations of the Twitter Rules would potentially result in this very course of action,” Twitter said in its statement.
Trump’s two final tweets read: “The 75,000,000 great American Patriots who voted for me, AMERICA FIRST, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, will have a GIANT VOICE long into the future. They will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!!” and “To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th.”
Twitter provided an unusually detailed explanation of its decision that the two tweets, read in the context of recent events, were in violation of its rules barring “the glorification of violence that could inspire others to replicate violent acts”.
The company did not immediately respond to questions about the suspension, including whether Trump will be allowed to tweet through the presidential account, @POTUS.
More details soon …