Twitter Flags Trump Video Message For Disputed Election Fraud Claim, ‘Risk Of Violence’ – CBS San Francisco
SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — Local social media giant Twitter flagged President Donald Trump’s message to his rioting supporters in the nation’s capitol to go home Wednesday, citing its disputed claims of election fraud and the possibility it might incite violence.
President Trump did not appear on live television to call on his supporters to cease their actions Wednesday, instead tweeting out a pre-recorded video message. The clip was posted response after growing pressure from both Democratic and Republican lawmakers to take more decisive action that would help quell the violent actions of his supporters.
In the video, Trump continued to promote his unsubstantiated claims of mass voter fraud and said loyalists who had swarmed the seat of American democracy were “very special.”
“I know your pain. I know your hurt. But you have to go home now,” he said. “We can’t play into the hands of these people. We have to have peace. So go home. We love you. You’re very special.”
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
San Francisco-based Twitter flagged the post as it has been flagging tweets by the president and others making unfounded claims of voter fraud since before the November election. It additionally disabled user capability to reply, like or retweet the video message “due to a risk of violence.”
Despite the platform saying that the video could not be retweeted, tens of thousands of users — both supporters and detractors of President Trump — were still able to share it on Twitter. The video had been viewed 11.8 million times as of early Wednesday afternoon.
Twitter later deleted the video from the platform completely. At least two subsequent tweets by the president, one making a claim of “a sacred landslide victory” were also removed.
The president had earlier called on the protesters to remain non-violent, but did not instruct them to disperse.
I am asking for everyone at the U.S. Capitol to remain peaceful. No violence! Remember, WE are the Party of Law & Order – respect the Law and our great men and women in Blue. Thank you!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 6, 2021
The video statement came more than an hour after protesters stormed the Capitol as lawmakers convened for a joint session to confirm the Electoral College results and affirm President-elect Joe Biden’s victory.
© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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