- President Donald Trump was permanently banned from Twitter on Friday night. This was due to fears from the platform that he might further incite violence.
- Trump went “ballistic” after his account was suspended, a senior administration official told Politico.
- He was “scrambling” to figure out what his options were, the media outlet said. He hinted that “building” his own platform might be one avenue they pursue in a now-deleted tweet.
- Trump’s banishment from Twitter – the platform that has defined much of his presidency – was met with both outrage and glee online.
- Visit Business Insider’s homepage for more stories.
On Friday night, Twitter permanently suspended President Donald Trump’s account, citing his potential to incite violence further.
The crackdown on the president’s Twitter usage predictably infuriated Trump. He went “ballistic,” a senior administration official told Politico.
After the ban, Trump tweeted from the official @POTUS Twitter account but his posts were almost immediately deleted.
Similarly, the president then tried in vain to share a message from his @TeamTrump account. This was deleted and the account was suspended.
The official also said Trump was “scrambling to figure out what his options are,” according to Politico.
In a now-deleted tweet, Trump said he’d been “negotiating with various other sites” and would have a big announcement soon. Trump also said that his team “look at the possibilities of building our own platform in the near future.”
Parler, the ‘free speech’ platform that many thought Trump might join next, has been removed from Google’s Play Store. Apple is expected to follow suit in removing the app.
Facebook has also “indefinitely” banned Trump from the website.
Trump’s banishment from Twitter — the platform that has defined much of his presidency — was met with both outrage and glee online.
His critics celebrated his account being disabled, most notably Hillary Clinton.
— Hillary Clinton (@HillaryClinton) January 9, 2021
Twitter finally banned Trump!
We did it! https://t.co/KFJUB1YvZU
— Sacha Baron Cohen (@SachaBaronCohen) January 8, 2021
CHURCH BELLS! RING THROUGHOUT THE LAND, SO EVERYONE KNOWS! IT'S OVER! TRUMP SUSPENDED FROM INCITING TO VIOLENCE ON TWITTER!
— bettemidler (@BetteMidler) January 9, 2021
Allies, however, called it “silencing” and “censorship.”
Silencing people, not to mention the President of the US, is what happens in China not our country. #Unbelievable
— Nikki Haley (@NikkiHaley) January 8, 2021
Free Speech Is Under Attack! Censorship is happening like NEVER before! Don’t let them silence us. Sign up at https://t.co/835Eak6Ghi to stay connected!
If I get thrown off my social platforms I’ll let you know my thoughts and where I end up. pic.twitter.com/bO7wbfWWVr— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) January 9, 2021
Leftists are so blinded by their hatred for Trump that they do not understand how absolutely terrifying it is that tech companies can censor the sitting President of the United States.
They will not get it until ALL of their freedoms are gone.
They are that blinded by hate.
— Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) January 8, 2021
Social media is our generation’s public forum. It ought to be subject to the same protections provided to all public forums.
I am calling for First Amendment protections to be applied to this New Town Square.
Censorship of elected officials by unelected elites is UNAMERICAN!
— Madison Cawthorn (@CawthornforNC) January 9, 2021
While some have called the Twitter ban a First Amendment issue, the move does not violate that law or any others.
Business Insider Emails & Alerts
Site highlights each day to your inbox.
Follow Business Insider Australia on Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and Instagram.