For the first time, social media platform Twitter hid a tweet posted by any public figure placing a warning for glorifying violence.
On the 29th of May, Twitter hid two tweets posted by Donald Trump, the President of the United States of America (U.S.A.,) and official handle of White, which encouraged to shoot protestors in Minneapolis.
In Minneapolis people are protesting against the American Government and demanding justice for George Floyd, an African-American, who was killed on the 25th of May.
Derek Chauvin, a white Minneapolis police officer, kept his knee on Mr. Floyd’s neck for 8 minutes and 46 seconds resulting in his death.
In regard to this, Doanld Trump tweeted, “ he would send in the National Guard”, and followed that up with a warning that “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.”
The other tweet of President Trump read, “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!”
….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!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
However, instead of taking down the tweet, Twitter hid the tweet, which could be viewed by clicking on a prominent warning.
The warning before clicking view says, “Twitter has determined that it may be in the public’s interest for the Tweet to remain accessible.”
The same post remains unaltered on Facebook, without any warning attached.
After the tweet got escalated with a warning for glorifying violence, Mr. Trump took to Twitter and explained what he meant by saying looting. He said, “Looting leads to shooting, and that’s why a man was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Wednesday night – or look at what just happened in Louisville with 7 people shot.” He further added, “I don’t want this to happen, and that’s what the expression put out last night means.”
Looting leads to shooting, and that’s why a man was shot and killed in Minneapolis on Wednesday night – or look at what just happened in Louisville with 7 people shot. I don’t want this to happen, and that’s what the expression put out last night means….
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 29, 2020
The action of Twitter started a huge battle between Donald Trump and Twitter and none of the side seem to back off.
Twitter boss Jack Dorsey, who had appeared very reluctant to apply anything but the most light-touch regulation, now finds himself faced with the unappealing prospect of cracking down on world leaders far and wide.
Doanald Trump, angry over the action of Twitter posted, “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!.
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
In defense, Twitter said: “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.”
This is the first time Twitter ever responded this way and hid tweet of a public figure instead of removing the tweet or suspending the Twitter handle.
Meanwhile on the 31st of May, protests in Minneapolis entered the 6th day of protest against American Police officer who killed George Floyd.
Stay tuned for further updates.
