Twitter has permanently suspended the United States President Donald Trump’s account for inciting violence.
The social media network made this known in a blog post titled ‘Permanent suspension of @realDonaldTrump’ on Friday.
“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,” the blog post read in part.
Trump’s favorite megaphone, Twitter, earlier blocked him for 12 hours and threatened a permanent suspension of his account if he continued breaking its rules.
The president returned to Twitter late Thursday, posting a video message that seemed aimed at calming tensions after the mayhem caused by his supporters, although Trump did not go so far as to congratulate or even say the name of his successor, Biden.
“To those who engaged in the acts of violence and destruction, you do not represent our country,” Trump had said.
Similarly, Facebook Chief Executive, Mark Zuckerberg, on Thursday, announced an indefinite suspension of Trump’s accounts.
Zuckerberg said that the ban was because of Trump’s “use of our platform to incite violent insurrection against a democratically elected government.”
Recall that Trump’s supporters had stormed a session of Congress held Wednesday to certify Joe Biden’s election win, triggering unprecedented chaos and violence at the heart of American democracy and accusations the president was attempting a coup.
Hours after an extraordinary rally by Trump seeking to overturn the election, a flag-waving mob broke down barricades outside the Capitol and swarmed inside, rampaging through offices and onto the usually solemn legislative floors.
At least five persons have been confirmed dead and 20 arrested by police.
Trump, who is under pressure to resign or face impeachment, on Friday, announced that he would not attend Biden’s inauguration on January 20 – a decision the President-elect at a press conference said is a “good thing”. – Agency report.
