Twitter temporarily limited Donald Trump Jr.’s account after the president’s son shared a video that broke the platform’s coronavirus misinformation policies, a spokesperson confirmed to The Hill on Tuesday.
Trump Jr. will have some functionality — like being able to tweet or retweet — limited for 12 hours.
He is not suspended from the platform, although his spokesperson claimed otherwise in a statement.
“Twitter suspending Don Jr. for sharing a viral video of medical professionals discussing their views on Hydroxychloroquine is further proof that Big Tech is intent on killing free expression online and is another instance of them committing election interference to stifle Republican voices,” Andy Surabian said.
Surabian also said in a tweet that Twitter is playing “BS word games” and the limits still amount to a suspension.
When the features "temporarily limited" are the abilities to tweet and retweet, what would you call that?
Anyone with a functioning brain would call it a suspension, despite the BS word games @Twitter is playing here. https://t.co/kt5S4Wvt3A
— Andrew Surabian (@Surabees) July 28, 2020
The video in question has been taken down for violating Twitter rules.
It defends the use of hydroxychloroquine, an antimalarial drug touted by President Trump, to combat COVID-19 and claims that you do not need a mask, despite broad medical consensus saying masks can significantly slow the spread of the disease.
The video spread like wildfire on social media platforms Monday, racking up millions of views before being taken down.
It especially picked up traction after being shared by right-wing site Breitbart News and the political group Tea Party Patriots.
Facebook took the video down in the evening, although other copies have popped up on the platform.
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- Discussion
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JUST IN: Twitter limits Donald Trump Jr.'s account after sharing coronavirus disinformation https://t.co/C3Gw6tThwF pic.twitter.com/mRQP63uwwr
— The Hill (@thehill) July 28, 2020
And now the president himself. This is madness. https://t.co/CmbapijoMq pic.twitter.com/ZccieR1RqY
— Christian Vanderbrouk (@UrbanAchievr) July 28, 2020
It is https://t.co/qPpMwZnkxZ
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) July 28, 2020
This is correct, and of course, entirely depraved https://t.co/1oCGMUZ0ow
— Rick Wilson (@TheRickWilson) July 28, 2020
Even putting aside whether or not Hydroxychloroquine works for COVID — people should be aware that it is like every other drugs. It has potential side effects, contraindications and interactions with other drugs. Since I have a number of health issues, I looked at this drug and found it could exacerbate the issues I now have and maybe create new ones. if I had COVID, I would not want this drug and I’m sure my physicians would not prescribe it. Trump and his boy Junior are telling people to ignore their doctors’ advice, ignore the possible risks and demand that the drug be prescribed and administered. Such advice could potentially kill more people than COVID itself.
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