Twitter Dumps Trump: Citing Clear Risk of More Violence, Trump Banned from Twitter Permanently
A world of trouble is swirling around President Donald Trump, but what got his attention most today is startling in itself. Twitter has permanently blocked him from their platform.
In a tumultuous week for the nation, after Trump publicly incited a mob to violently attack the US Capitol, the president has been called unfit for office, a fascist by former staff, a cult leader, a liar, and dangerous for the nation.
Congress is about to impeach President Trump for the second time. In another first, if the impeachment proceeds as planned on Monday, the actual trial of Trump will be after he is out of office and no longer the president.
Pence was asked repeatedly by Congress members to activate the 25th amendment, which would remove Trump from office and have the Vice President serve in his place for the few days left until President-elect Joe Biden is sworn into office. He has declined.
Throughout the historic past days, after Trump incited a violent mob to attack Capitol Hill and try to overtake the US government, resulting in five deaths, Trump has stayed mostly silent, unseen and unheard publicly from his office at the White House. Except for a few anemic posts, including his meek suggestion that almost turned dangerous again, he told his angry followers “go home” but then mentioned their “fight” would continue. He also announced he would not attend Joe Biden's inauguration as the 46th president of the United States.
But on Friday night, Twitter hit the intense pain point that Trump is especially vulnerable to - his social media. The permanent ban went into effect immediately.
Facebook has reacted as well, kicking off Trump for two weeks minimum, until after the inauguration. A slew of other social media platforms also penalized Trump for his actions during a rally that sent forth a seditious mob that attacked the Capitol while Congress was in session.
Meanwhile, Twitter is busy monitoring a stream of online chatter by Trump followers who are calling for violence, including a national call to arms on January 17.
The blog states, “After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them — specifically how they are being received and interpreted on and off Twitter — we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence.
"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. Our public interest framework exists to enable the public to hear from elected officials and world leaders directly. It is built on a principle that the people have a right to hold power to account in the open.
"However, we made it clear going back years that these accounts are not above our rules entirely and cannot use Twitter to incite violence, among other things. We will continue to be transparent around our policies and their enforcement."
Specifically, Twitter notes, Trump is responsible for misleading his followers and creating a culture of accepted violence.
On January 8, 2021, President Donald J. Trump tweeted:
“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!!!”
Another tweet followed a few minutes later, “To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th.”
The Twitter blog stated, “Due to the ongoing tensions in the United States, and an uptick in the global conversation in regards to the people who violently stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, these two Tweets must be read in the context of broader events in the country and the ways in which the President’s statements can be mobilized by different audiences, including to incite violence, as well as in the context of the pattern of behavior from this account in recent weeks. After assessing the language in these Tweets against our Glorification of Violence policy, we have determined that these Tweets are in violation of the Glorification of Violence Policy and the user @realDonaldTrump should be immediately permanently suspended from the service.”
Twitter explained its assessment of Trump’s Tweets as they pertain to the platform's 'Glorification of Violence' policy. Biden, in a matter of eleven days, will be sworn into office. Yet Trump is still spreading misinformation that the election results are fraudulent, further inciting anger among his followers.
Twitter also states, “President Trump’s statement that he will not be attending the Inauguration is being received by a number of his supporters as further confirmation that the election was not legitimate and is seen as him disavowing his previous claim made via two Tweets by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Dan Scavino, that there would be an “orderly transition” on January 20th.”
Especially after the Capitol breach on Wednesday, law enforcement and other government authorities are concerned about the safety of Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris at the pubic inauguration.
Twitter said they believe Trump's tweets are “encouragement to those potentially considering violent acts that the Inauguration would be a “safe” target, as he will not be attending.”
Calling his followers “American Patriots” is also a cause for concern for Twitter, since this phrase may further encourage Trump’s cult-like followers to interpret this as “support for those committing violent acts at the US Capitol.”
Trump also tweeted that his followers have a “GIANT VOICE long into the future” and that “They will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!!”
Twitter notes this is “further indication that President Trump does not plan to facilitate an “orderly transition” and instead that he plans to continue to support, empower, and shield those who believe he won the election."
At this time, chatter on social media including Facebook, Twitter, Parler and many other platforms reveals plans for armed attacks by the MAGA followers, with a secondary attack planned not only in D.C. against the US Capitol but also at state capitals across the nation.
Click here to view the many platforms that have to-date banned or restricted Trump from posting:
