Donald Trump Jr.’s Twitter account has been suspended. He cannot tweet, like, retweet, or follow users. He will be able to resume full functionality in twelve hours. The suspension is related to a Breitbart News video that featured false claims about a COVID-19 cure and masks. Sensenbrenner has been confused about the differences between Twitter and Facebook.
Don Jr. suspended from Twitter
On Tuesday, Trump’s son, Donald, Jr., was suspended from Twitter for posting a video of a medical expert discussing the use of a malaria drug, hydroxychloroquine. Twitter said the tweet violated the company’s policies against spreading false information on COVID-19, the contagious disease which is largely caused by the malaria parasite. The tweet was later deleted and the account was frozen for twelve hours. Donald can still send direct messages to his followers, but he can no longer post any tweets or retweet or like any other tweets.
Following the incident, Twitter restricted the features available on Donald Trump Jr.’s account. The reason for the suspension is a video Donald Jr. posted to his Twitter account on Monday. It contained a video that featured doctors making erroneous claims about the use of a drug called hydroxychloroquine. The video gained millions of views in just 12 hours, but Trump Jr. has since apologized.
According to reports, hundreds of Twitter employees have signed a petition calling for the removal of Donald Trump’s account. This petition prompted Twitter to hold a meeting with its employees, where workers pressed the company’s executives to remove Trump’s account. Dorsey said the decision was consistent with the company’s policies and “not to censor the platform.” Vijaya Gadde, Twitter’s head of legal and safety, said, “We are committed to a culture that values free speech and respects the rights of individuals.”
Viral Video
After the video went viral and was widely shared by right-wing media, Twitter decided to suspend Donald Trump Jr.’s account. The controversial video was also posted by Breitbart News. It questioned the effectiveness of face masks and promoted the anti-malarial drug, hydroxychloroquine, to patients with coronavirus. While there is no scientific evidence to support such claims, Trump has touted this idea despite the lack of evidence. It was ultimately removed from the platform.
Despite the recent banning of his account, Donald Trump Jr. has kept a steady presence on Twitter. He recently retweeted former “Saturday Night Live” comic Rob Schneider and tweeted about transgender women. He has also launched his own website that frames it as an alternative way to reach him. As of Wednesday, he has posted nearly 30 times on his website. And he has yet to respond to a request for comment.
Tweets made false claims about the COVID-19 cure
Recently, the president’s son, Donald Trump Jr, shared a video with a viral distribution that touted a COVID-19 “cure” called hydroxychloroquine and said masks are unnecessary to fight the virus. That information is not backed by any medical study, and the vast majority of medical guidance strongly advises against its use. Immediately, Twitter suspended Trump’s account for sharing the video.
Following the news, Breitbart News posted a video of several doctors wearing white lab coats making false claims about COVID-19. The doctors were presenting false claims about the cure. They also argued that masks were not necessary to protect against the disease. In the video, the doctors called themselves “America’s Frontline Doctors” and affiliated with the Tea Party Patriots. The video was later removed from Breitbart due to policy violations, but this has not stopped the president’s son from making false statements about the disease.
Twitter recently suspended Donald Trump Jr.’s account because he was spreading bogus information about a COVID-19 cure. The President’s son had retweeted a video in which a doctor claims to cure the coronavirus with a drug called hydroxychloroquine. Twitter removed many of these tweets but did not remove the video from its website.
Temporarily restricted Trump Jr.’s Twitter account
Twitter also temporarily restricted Trump Jr.’s Twitter account because his tweet was in violation of its COVID-19 misinformation policy. This suspension follows a viral video of a doctor making false claims about hydroxychloroquine, a drug approved by the FDA as a COVID-19 cure. The FDA has previously warned against the use of hydroxychloroquine as a COVID-19 cure.
Thankfully, Twitter has now limited Donald Trump Jr.’s account for 12 hours after a video of the doctor making false claims about a COVID-19 cure was posted on the site. The tweet, posted Monday by Breitbart News, has since gone viral online. Twitter has removed the video but President Trump has repeatedly retweeted it. Despite the tweet ban, Twitter’s rules against sharing false information online are clear and concise.
Relationship with neo-fascist group the Proud Boys
After the recent arrests of a dozen members of the Proud Boys, the US presidential hopeful is in hot water over the group’s involvement in the Charlottesville riots. In the days after the Charlottesville riots, federal prosecutors said the group played a central role in turning a peaceful rally against voter fraud into a violent riot. According to prosecutors, the protesters were planning to disrupt the certification of the U.S. general election in 2020.
While Trump’s presidential campaign is all about embracing hate, the Proud Boys’ association with neo-fascivist groups like the Patriot Prayer has raised concerns. In August 2017, the Proud Boys attended a violent rally of the “Unite the Right” movement in Charlottesville, Virginia. In October 2018, they were spotted with the skinhead group 211 Bootboys in a celebratory pose.
The group has members in three regions: the Pacific Northwest, the Midwest, and Miami. The group’s political activities have also been influenced by Trump jr’s relationship with neo-fascists like Enrique Tarrio. Enrique Tarrio has connections with Roger Stoney, but has also failed to gain public office.
Proud Boys
In the US, the Proud Boys have emerged as a manifestation of polarization and political violence. The group primarily includes men, although some members are open to women. The Proud Boys are described by many as violent, Islamophobic, and anti-immigrant. Some of their leaders are vehemently protesting these allegations.
There is a long-standing relationship between the Proud Boys and Trump jr., and it may even be a cover for Trump jr’s own relationship with neo-fascist groups. Both groups have been implicated in several high-profile incidents. The Southern Poverty Law Center is tracking the Proud Boys and its founder McInnes, and has documented a long history of blatant violence and threats.
In January, the Proud Boys claimed to attend a DC rally incognito. They claimed to be wearing all black to blend in with the anti-fa protesters. According to Andrew Beaujon, “This is a shocking and troubling claim.”
Sensenbrenner’s confusion over Facebook and Twitter
Republican U.S. Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner made a serious error of judgment this week by assuming that Facebook suspended Donald Trump Jr.’s account because of his tweets about hydroxychloroquine, a drug used to treat the coronavirus. In reality, Twitter suspended Trump Jr.’s account because he posted a drug promotion video and suggested that no masks were required to protect against the disease.
The resignation of Rep. James Sensenbrenner caused national attention and speculation about who might take his place in the district. With many incumbents not running for re-election in 2020, speculation about the next GOP candidate for the district began to swirl. Potential candidates included Waukesha County Executive Paul Farrow, Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald, Sen. Chris Kapenga, and former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch. Also floated was former U.S. Senate candidate Kevin Nicholson.
