The feud between Twitter and President Donald Trump escalated on Friday after the President used the social media platform to threaten the use of force against rioters in Minneapolis, as Twitter slapped a warning label on the President's tweet, saying Mr. Trump had violated rules on 'glorifying violence.'
"These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd," the President wrote, referring to the black man who was suffocated to death when a Minneapolis police officer knelt on his head and neck for an extended period of time earlier this week.
The President then spoke of sending in National Guard troops to restore order, warning that "when the looting starts, the shooting starts."
That was evidently too much for Twitter, which placed a warning on the President's tweet.
Twitter is doing nothing about all of the lies & propaganda being put out by China or the Radical Left Democrat Party. They have targeted Republicans, Conservatives & the President of the United States. Section 230 should be revoked by Congress. Until then, it will be regulated!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
“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
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
In the President's mind, the warning label from Twitter was the latest indignity against him by the social media giant, as Mr. Trump tore into Twitter early on Friday morning.
"Twitter is doing nothing about all of the lies & propaganda being put out by China or the Radical Left Democrat Party," the President tweeted soon after 7 am. "They have targeted Republicans, Conservatives & the President of the United States."
Earlier this week, Twitter added a link to a couple of the President's tweets about mail-in voting, giving a link for more information about the issue.
The President was incensed, leading to his executive order on Thursday, and a direct threat to close down the company, which experts said he had no power to do.
TRUMP: If Twitter were not honorable…I think you shut it down, as far as I’m concerned.
— JM Rieger (@RiegerReport) May 28, 2020
REPORTER: And how would you shut down an American company?
TRUMP: I don’t know. I’d have to ask the lawyers. I’d have to go through a legal process.
Read more: https://t.co/6AI9GksEJV pic.twitter.com/N8PYafS1NN
On Capitol Hill, the two parties saw the developing events on Twitter much differently.
"Twitter is censoring the President of the United States," said Rep. Paul Gosar (R-AZ).
Democrats in Congress said the President was overreacting, and acting like an authoritarian.
“(T)he President’s executive order is a shameless attempt to use the power of his office to silence his critics and intimidate his perceived enemies,” said Rep. Alan Lowenthal (D-CA).
Cox Media Group
