Twitter restricts Donald Trump tweet for 'glorifying violence'
by James CoxTwitter has flagged a tweet from US President Donald Trump for 'glorifying violence'.
However, Twitter has chosen not to remove the tweet completely because it believes it is in the public interest.
The tweet in question concerns demonstrators in the city of Minneapolis who are protesting following the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd, who was in police custody at the time of his death.
Trump labelled them 'thugs' in the tweet, in which he threatened to send in the National Guard and signed off, "when the looting starts, the shooting starts".
The restriction means the tweet is invisible on Trump's timeline unless users click 'view'.
It cannot be retweeted or commented on.
“These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won’t let that happen,” Trump’s tweet reads. “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!”
Trump's tweet echoes the quote from former Miami police chief Walter Headley, who in December 1967 promised violent reprisals in response to protests over police stop-and-search tactics.
The latest move from Twitter continues the social media giant's dispute with Trump.
He lashed out at Twitter after it flagged two of his previous tweets, concerning mail-in voting, for fact checks.
In response, Trump signed an executive order designed to remove Twitter's protections in civil claims arising from instances where it acts as an “editor” rather than a publisher.
A statement concerning Trump's latest tweet read: “This tweet violates our policies regarding the glorification of violence based on the historical context of the last line, its connection to violence, and the risk it could inspire similar actions today.
“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.”