How Twitter arrived at its decision to permanently ban Donald Trump

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Permanent suspension of @realDonaldTrump
By Twitter Inc.
Friday, 8 January 2021

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 below is a comprehensive analysis of our policy enforcement approach in this case.

Overview

On January 8, 2021, President Donald J. Trump Tweeted:

“The 75,000,000 great American Patriots who voted for me, AMERICA FIRST, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, will have a GIANT VOICE long into the future. They will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!!”

Shortly thereafter, the President Tweeted:

“To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th.”

Due to the ongoing tensions in the United States, and an uptick in the global conversation in regards to the people who violently stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, these two Tweets must be read in the context of broader events in the country and the ways in which the President’s statements can be mobilized by different audiences, including to incite violence, as well as in the context of the pattern of behavior from this account in recent weeks. After assessing the language in these Tweets against our Glorification of Violence policy, we have determined that these Tweets are in violation of the Glorification of Violence Policy and the user @realDonaldTrump should be immediately permanently suspended from the service.

Assessment

We assessed the two Tweets referenced above under our Glorification of Violence policy, which aims to prevent the glorification of violence that could inspire others to replicate violent acts and determined that they were highly likely to encourage and inspire people to replicate the criminal acts that took place at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021.

This determination is based on a number of factors, including:

President Trump’s statement that he will not be attending the Inauguration is being received by a number of his supporters as further confirmation that the election was not legitimate and is seen as him disavowing his previous claim made via two Tweets (1, 2) by his Deputy Chief of Staff, Dan Scavino, that there would be an “orderly transition” on January 20th.
The second Tweet may also serve as encouragement to those potentially considering violent acts that the Inauguration would be a “safe” target, as he will not be attending.
The use of the words “American Patriots” to describe some of his supporters is also being interpreted as support for those committing violent acts at the US Capitol.
The mention of his supporters having a “GIANT VOICE long into the future” and that “They will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!!” is being interpreted as further indication that President Trump does not plan to facilitate an “orderly transition” and instead that he plans to continue to support, empower, and shield those who believe he won the election.
Plans for future armed protests have already begun proliferating on and off-Twitter, including a proposed secondary attack on the US Capitol and state capitol buildings on January 17, 2021.
As such, our determination is that the two Tweets above are likely to inspire others to replicate the violent acts that took place on January 6, 2021, and that there are multiple indicators that they are being received and understood as encouragement to do so.

@Twitter
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Wake up and smell the covfefe Donald, your two main platforms - the White House and Twitter are now both gone.

It's like cutting off your right arm ....... and left arm.

You were a force for evil.

It's a private company and I believe they have the right to deny service to anyone, for any reason.

Some believe this will bring the country together more.

I'm a skeptic. I think there will be unintended consequences. .

Slippery slope

I think Trump is a racist twat, but when a social media platform has such power over a nation President by banning them. Then imagine what they do to people as minorities without a voice?

That is a slippery slope

Even the ACLU condemned banning Trump

Its time people started to challenge silicon valley's power

https://www.newsweek.com/aclu-counsel-warns-unchecked-power-twitter-facebook-after-trump-suspension-1560248

Didgee wrote:Slippery slope

I think Trump is a racist twat, but when a social media platform has such power over a nation President by banning them. Then imagine what they do to people as minorities without a voice?

That is a slippery slope

Even the ACLU condemned banning Trump

Its time people started to challenge silicon valley's power

https://www.newsweek.com/aclu-counsel-warns-unchecked-power-twitter-facebook-after-trump-suspension-1560248

And the line between silicon valley and government is pretty hazy.

Let's not forget that industries were privately owned in Nazi Germany, but decisions came directly or indirectly from government officials.

Got to make sure we don't become what we are trying to defeat.

Didgee wrote:That is a slippery slope

Even the ACLU condemned banning Trump

Its time people started to challenge silicon valley's power

https://www.newsweek.com/aclu-counsel-warns-unchecked-power-twitter-facebook-after-trump-suspension-1560248

It's private property. Silicon valley companies can do whatever they want with their own property.

If "people" start challenging a private entity's "power", that's an autocratic idea. Socialism is only about capitalization. I'm all for socialism as a means of replacing capitalism (another enemy of state), but to exercise power merely for social management purposes...it's an autocratic plan.

Original Quill wrote:

Didgee wrote:That is a slippery slope

Even the ACLU condemned banning Trump

Its time people started to challenge silicon valley's power

https://www.newsweek.com/aclu-counsel-warns-unchecked-power-twitter-facebook-after-trump-suspension-1560248

It's private property.  Silicon valley companies can do whatever they want with their own property.

If "people" start challenging a private entity's "power", that's an autocratic idea.  Socialism is only about capitalization.  I'm all for socialism as a means of replacing capitalism (another enemy of state), but to exercise power merely for social management purposes...it's an autocratic plan.

All private industries operate in a regulated environment that can be made uncomfortable.

Maddog wrote:

Original Quill wrote:

It's private property.  Silicon valley companies can do whatever they want with their own property.

If "people" start challenging a private entity's "power", that's an autocratic idea.  Socialism is only about capitalization.  I'm all for socialism as a means of replacing capitalism (another enemy of state), but to exercise power merely for social management purposes...it's an autocratic plan.

All private industries operate in a regulated environment that can be made uncomfortable.  

Yes, but the communication companies have First Amendment protections in addition.

Now he is banned from Spotify and Pinterest.

That will teach him.

I'm sure they are waaay beyond teaching him anything. He was useful for business, and now he's a pariah.

Germany and France attacked Twitter Inc. and Facebook Inc. after U.S. President Donald Trump was shut off from the social media platforms, in an extension of Europe’s battle with big tech.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel objected to the decisions, saying on Monday that lawmakers should set the rules governing free speech and not private technology companies.

“The chancellor sees the complete closing down of the account of an elected president as problematic,” Steffen Seibert, her chief spokesman, said at a regular news conference in Berlin. Rights like the freedom of speech “can be interfered with, but by law and within the framework defined by the legislature -- not according to a corporate decision.”

The German leader’s stance is echoed by the French government. Junior Minister for European Union Affairs Clement Beaune said he was “shocked” to see a private company make such an important decision. “This should be decided by citizens, not by a CEO,” he told Bloomberg TV on Monday. “There needs to be public regulation of big online platforms.” Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire earlier said that the state should be responsible for regulations, rather than “the digital oligarchy,” and called big tech “one of the threats” to democracy.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-11/merkel-sees-closing-trump-s-social-media-accounts-problematic

They argue that they are just platform and not responsible/liable for what is pisted/uploaded... Then on the other hand they remove/censor things that don't chime with their own beliefs/agendas


They can't have it both ways!


But like is too often seen with lefties... quantum thinking where they can hold two totally opposing beliefs and argue that either one is right when it suits them...

Didgee wrote:Germany and France attacked Twitter Inc. and Facebook Inc. after U.S. President Donald Trump was shut off from the social media platforms, in an extension of Europe’s battle with big tech.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel objected to the decisions, saying on Monday that lawmakers should set the rules governing free speech and not private technology companies.

“The chancellor sees the complete closing down of the account of an elected president as problematic,” Steffen Seibert, her chief spokesman, said at a regular news conference in Berlin. Rights like the freedom of speech “can be interfered with, but by law and within the framework defined by the legislature -- not according to a corporate decision.”

The German leader’s stance is echoed by the French government. Junior Minister for European Union Affairs Clement Beaune said he was “shocked” to see a private company make such an important decision. “This should be decided by citizens, not by a CEO,” he told Bloomberg TV on Monday. “There needs to be public regulation of big online platforms.” Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire earlier said that the state should be responsible for regulations, rather than “the digital oligarchy,” and called big tech “one of the threats” to democracy.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-11/merkel-sees-closing-trump-s-social-media-accounts-problematic

Aww dry your tears honey.  
I haven't seen you post much criticism of the apocalyptic assault on democracy caused by Trump - you seem to think a quick lukewarm criticism of him, in passing, is adequate.


Surprise, surprise, the LW are being blamed for his account being banned. ''lefty this, lefty that, lefty blah blah''  

- remember that it was private owners of twitter who banned him. They had already bent over backwards numerous times to accommodate his constant breaching of the rules. They had to moderate him 24/7 because of a nonstop stream of disinformation, dangerous allegations plus incitement to violence that he kept tweeting - and they had to keep  correcting him. The moderators had already given him too many chances and they'd had enough.


Btw who cares what the leaders of France and Germany think? Leaders are not important and we must not worship them, remember?  I'm surprised maddog has not reminded you of this - he was quick to remind me.

JulesV wrote:

Didgee wrote:Germany and France attacked Twitter Inc. and Facebook Inc. after U.S. President Donald Trump was shut off from the social media platforms, in an extension of Europe’s battle with big tech.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel objected to the decisions, saying on Monday that lawmakers should set the rules governing free speech and not private technology companies.

“The chancellor sees the complete closing down of the account of an elected president as problematic,” Steffen Seibert, her chief spokesman, said at a regular news conference in Berlin. Rights like the freedom of speech “can be interfered with, but by law and within the framework defined by the legislature -- not according to a corporate decision.”

The German leader’s stance is echoed by the French government. Junior Minister for European Union Affairs Clement Beaune said he was “shocked” to see a private company make such an important decision. “This should be decided by citizens, not by a CEO,” he told Bloomberg TV on Monday. “There needs to be public regulation of big online platforms.” Finance Minister Bruno Le Maire earlier said that the state should be responsible for regulations, rather than “the digital oligarchy,” and called big tech “one of the threats” to democracy.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-01-11/merkel-sees-closing-trump-s-social-media-accounts-problematic

Aww dry your tears honey.  
I haven't seen you post much criticism of the apocalyptic assault on democracy caused by Trump - you seem to think a quick lukewarm criticism of him, in passing, is adequate.


Surprise, surprise, the LW are being blamed for his account being banned. ''lefty this, lefty that, lefty blah blah''  

- remember that it was private owners of twitter who banned him. They had already bent over backwards numerous times to accommodate his constant breaching of the rules. They had to moderate him 24/7 because of a nonstop stream of disinformation, dangerous allegations plus incitement to violence that he kept tweeting - and they had to keep  correcting him. The moderators had already given him too many chances and they'd had enough.


Btw who cares what the leaders of France and Germany think? Leaders are not important and we must not worship them, remember?  I'm surprised maddog has not reminded you of this - he was quick to remind me.

The reasons the French and Germans have issues with this is because they believe that governments are more fair at regulating speech than private companies, especially giant ones that have the power to change governments. I don't agree completely, but I understand their concern.

Twitter isn't really a free market corporation. It is privately owned, but so were companies in Nazi Germany.

Maddog wrote:

JulesV wrote:

Aww dry your tears honey.  
I haven't seen you post much criticism of the apocalyptic assault on democracy caused by Trump - you seem to think a quick lukewarm criticism of him, in passing, is adequate.


Surprise, surprise, the LW are being blamed for his account being banned. ''lefty this, lefty that, lefty blah blah''  

- remember that it was private owners of twitter who banned him. They had already bent over backwards numerous times to accommodate his constant breaching of the rules. They had to moderate him 24/7 because of a nonstop stream of disinformation, dangerous allegations plus incitement to violence that he kept tweeting - and they had to keep  correcting him. The moderators had already given him too many chances and they'd had enough.


Btw who cares what the leaders of France and Germany think? Leaders are not important and we must not worship them, remember?  I'm surprised maddog has not reminded you of this - he was quick to remind me.

The reasons the French and Germans have issues with this is because they believe that governments are more fair at regulating speech than private companies, especially giant ones that have the power to change governments. I don't agree completely, but I understand their concern.

Twitter isn't really a free market corporation. It is privately owned, but so were companies in Nazi Germany.

So what? The Nazis also had spiffy uniforms. Does that make uniforms bad?

Twitter is not obligated to associate with anyone it doesn't want to...end of...

Nope, No one say they have to.

Maddog wrote:

JulesV wrote:

Aww dry your tears honey.  
I haven't seen you post much criticism of the apocalyptic assault on democracy caused by Trump - you seem to think a quick lukewarm criticism of him, in passing, is adequate.


Surprise, surprise, the LW are being blamed for his account being banned. ''lefty this, lefty that, lefty blah blah''  

- remember that it was private owners of twitter who banned him. They had already bent over backwards numerous times to accommodate his constant breaching of the rules. They had to moderate him 24/7 because of a nonstop stream of disinformation, dangerous allegations plus incitement to violence that he kept tweeting - and they had to keep  correcting him. The moderators had already given him too many chances and they'd had enough.


Btw who cares what the leaders of France and Germany think? Leaders are not important and we must not worship them, remember?  I'm surprised maddog has not reminded you of this - he was quick to remind me.

The reasons the French and Germans have issues with this is because they believe that governments are more fair at regulating speech than private companies, especially giant ones that have the power to change governments. I don't agree completely, but I understand their concern.

Twitter isn't really a free market corporation. It is privately owned, but so were companies in Nazi Germany.

Indeed, Jules fails to see I think Trump is an idiot but its what the social media giants are doing that is also wrong

Jules cannot seem to quite grasp separate issues

Already have condemn the violence and storming of Congress, but its why Jules really needs to go to Specsavers, as I never even mentioned the left

Clearly Jules has been smoking crack again

I am glad Trump has lost and I also think he should be impeached

I think all protestors that commit violence should face the full force of the law

The issue now is unelected CEO's are wielding such power over the lives of people

Jules fail to see many left wing elected leaders are concerned with the power that these companies have

But Jules has never been the brightest spark to say the least

Forgive me if I think it's a bit hypocritical when people decry corporate decisions that affect people's social media activities but stay silent or defend the corporate policies that harm people's livelihood, health and even their lives.

Ben Reilly wrote:Forgive me if I think it's a bit hypocritical when people decry corporate decisions that affect people's social media activities but stay silent or defend the corporate policies that harm people's livelihood, health and even their lives.

Deflection alert

So who is denying the harm of other buinsess coroporate policies Ben

Yeah stop making up shit and stay on topic

So is it wrong have now social media has to much power and influence?

Yes or no?

Ben Reilly wrote:Forgive me if I think it's a bit hypocritical when people decry corporate decisions that affect people's social media activities but stay silent or defend the corporate policies that harm people's livelihood, health and even their lives.

Social media is now big enough to alter elections and the course of an nation.  That's why certain regimes ban or censor it.  And in other regimes they work together where there is am unholy alliance between them.  That's why so many large corporations support Democrat administrations.  It's good for business.  


https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2014/07/the-details-about-the-cias-deal-with-amazon/374632/

phil wrote:... as I never even mentioned the left

There is no equivalency between what the left does, and the outright sedition of what occurred on January 6th.

The left demonstrates, which is an act of communication secured by the First Amendment to the Constitution. The right has committed an act of civil war,

Maddog wrote:

Ben Reilly wrote:Forgive me if I think it's a bit hypocritical when people decry corporate decisions that affect people's social media activities but stay silent or defend the corporate policies that harm people's livelihood, health and even their lives.

Social media is now big enough to alter elections and the course of an nation. That's why certain regimes ban or censor it. And in other regimes they work together where there is am unholy alliance between them. That's why so many large corporations support Democrat administrations. It's good for business.

The political regimes that support suppression of political speech don't have a First Amendment. The US does. The First Amendment is not going to go quietly into the night. Big enough or not, there is no way for social media firms to reengineer free speech to curtail it in the US.

The issue is that we don't have the tools to deal with free speech, and most particularly it's unwanted step-child: intentional falsehoods. I believe that the insurrectionists who embrace these falsehoods are not really being deceived; falsehood is a tool, a place to go when truth hurts. Insurrectionists are motivated to believe falsehoods because the propositions supported by the falsehoods appear to morally justify what they want and cannot have: "their way". It permits them to take by violence, what was refused to them in reality. They want a new path to "their way".

It's no surprise that this comes to a head after an election. Democracy promises a winner, but it also promises a loser, and the insurrectionists lost. "Their way" constitutes reversing that state of affairs. It's the proverbial second bite at the apple...if they can't get people to agree and form a majority, they are just as pleased to resort to an autocracy.

In these times of conspiracy theories, truth has lost its way against more amenable propositions. It needs an infusion of vigor.

Maddog wrote:

JulesV wrote:

Aww dry your tears honey.  
I haven't seen you post much criticism of the apocalyptic assault on democracy caused by Trump - you seem to think a quick lukewarm criticism of him, in passing, is adequate.


Surprise, surprise, the LW are being blamed for his account being banned. ''lefty this, lefty that, lefty blah blah''  

- remember that it was private owners of twitter who banned him. They had already bent over backwards numerous times to accommodate his constant breaching of the rules. They had to moderate him 24/7 because of a nonstop stream of disinformation, dangerous allegations plus incitement to violence that he kept tweeting - and they had to keep  correcting him. The moderators had already given him too many chances and they'd had enough.


Btw who cares what the leaders of France and Germany think? Leaders are not important and we must not worship them, remember?  I'm surprised maddog has not reminded you of this - he was quick to remind me.

The reasons the French and Germans have issues with this is because they believe that governments are more fair at regulating speech than private companies, especially giant ones that have the power to change governments. I don't agree completely, but I understand their concern.

Twitter isn't really a free market corporation. It is privately owned, but so were companies in Nazi Germany.

Twitter & FB liked Trump. They were in a tender, loving bear hug with him right up until the last minute - the day it was formally ratified that Biden won the potus. Then they both dumped trump like a hot brick.

Didgee wrote:
Indeed, Jules fails to see I think Trump is an idiot but its what the social media giants are doing that is also wrong

Jules cannot seem to quite grasp separate issues

Already have condemn the violence and storming of Congress, but its why Jules really needs to go to Specsavers, as I never even mentioned the left

Clearly Jules has been smoking crack again

I am glad Trump has lost and I also think he should be impeached

I think all protestors that commit violence should face the full force of the law

The issue now is unelected CEO's are wielding such power over the lives of people

Jules fail to see many left wing elected leaders are concerned with the power that these companies have

But Jules has never been the brightest spark to say the least

Only one 'JULES' per post, dem's de RULES. So that's £50 in the swear jar, cough up!!.


Look, Didge, you arrived VERY late to this party and when you finally showed up, your only contribution to the entire discussion was a long, tall pile of horse shit where ...... yet again, for the millionth time, ...... you indulged your psychotic obsession against the LW.

You didn't mention the platitudes that are now suddenly pouring out your mouth - are people supposed to be psychic and read your thoughts when you remained silent -and instead you focused on your insane obsession with the left?

How grotesque to try to score political points against the liberals in response to the far right nearly blowing up the ENTIRE American govt??

JulesV wrote:

Maddog wrote:

The reasons the French and Germans have issues with this is because they believe that governments are more fair at regulating speech than private companies, especially giant ones that have the power to change governments. I don't agree completely, but I understand their concern.

Twitter isn't really a free market corporation. It is privately owned, but so were companies in Nazi Germany.

Twitter & FB liked Trump. They were in a tender, loving bear hug with him right up until the last minute - the day it was formally ratified that Biden won the potus. Then they both dumped trump like a hot brick.

Exactly. Once they saw who the new administration was, they knew who they had to serve.

It's at the core of Crony Capitalism where there is an unholy alliance between government and large corporations.

It's why most of the contribute to both sides.

JulesV wrote:

Didgee wrote:  
Indeed, Jules fails to see I think Trump is an idiot but its what the social media giants are doing that is also wrong

Jules cannot seem to quite grasp separate issues

Already have condemn the violence and storming of Congress, but its why Jules really needs to go to Specsavers, as I never even mentioned the left

Clearly Jules has been smoking crack again

I am glad Trump has lost and I also think he should be impeached

I think all protestors that commit violence should face the full force of the law

The issue now is unelected CEO's are wielding such power over the lives of people

Jules fail to see many left wing elected leaders are concerned with the power that these companies have

But Jules has never been the brightest spark to say the least

Only one 'JULES' per post, dem's de RULES. So that's £50 in the swear jar, cough up!!.


Look, Didge, you arrived VERY late to this party and when you finally showed up, your only contribution to the entire discussion was a long, tall pile of  horse shit where  ...... yet again, for the millionth time, ...... you indulged your psychotic obsession against the LW.

You didn't mention the platitudes that are now suddenly pouring out your mouth - are people supposed to be psychic and read your thoughts when you remained silent -and instead you focused on your insane obsession with the left?

How grotesque to try to score political points against the liberals in response to the far right nearly blowing up the ENTIRE American govt??

Yet more gobbldygook from the resident wackadoodle

The fact is you jumped onto me for posting an article by EU leaders expressing dismay at the power social media ginats have

As per usual you acted like a petulant brat and invoked things not said by me about the left and claimed I had not condemn the violence

wrong on both counts

You continue to go off track with yet further incorrect accusations

I am utterly tired of the rampant bullshit you come out with

So to do us both a favour I will no longer respond to your temper tantrums that are full of lies

Enjoy being the bitter twisted individual that you are, because if you cannot even grasp what is being talked about here and instead look to attack posters as you constantly do

You are not worthy of having a civil discussion

enjoy Conventry

Bitch, bitch, bitch.  Didge, the only non-personal thing you have to say is: "EU leaders expressing dismay at the power social media ginats have."

So, they have power.  They've tapped into a rich vein and are mining it.  It's capitalist theory at its finest.

If you want something better, come join the socialist ranks.

Didgee wrote:

JulesV wrote:

Only one 'JULES' per post, dem's de RULES. So that's £50 in the swear jar, cough up!!.


Look, Didge, you arrived VERY late to this party and when you finally showed up, your only contribution to the entire discussion was a long, tall pile of  horse shit where  ...... yet again, for the millionth time, ...... you indulged your psychotic obsession against the LW.

You didn't mention the platitudes that are now suddenly pouring out your mouth - are people supposed to be psychic and read your thoughts when you remained silent -and instead you focused on your insane obsession with the left?

How grotesque to try to score political points against the liberals in response to the far right nearly blowing up the ENTIRE American govt??

Yet more gobbldygook from the resident wackadoodle

The fact is you jumped onto me for posting an article by EU leaders expressing dismay at the power social media ginats have

As per usual you acted like a petulant brat and invoked things not said by me about the left and claimed I had not condemn the violence

wrong on both counts

You continue to go off track with yet further incorrect accusations

I am utterly tired of the rampant bullshit you come out with

So to do us both a favour I will no longer respond to your temper tantrums that are full of lies

Enjoy being the bitter twisted individual that you are, because if you cannot even grasp what is being talked about here and instead look to attack posters as you constantly do

You are not worthy of having a civil discussion

enjoy Conventry

Is that a solemn promise? Hope so. Etch it in stone! Please. I'll defo hold you to it. No going back on your promise, now.


1. No tantrums here whatsoever, so quit being such a precious girly snowflake.  I'm just posting like everyone else, not tantrumming.

2.  I am 100 % correct when I said that the ONLY posts you made regarding the USA were the usual predictable moany ones about the LW - and they were a pile of horse shit.

3. I am also 100% correct when I said that you have not criticised Trump's behaviours yet. Not on here anyway.
Not in months, not even after the astonishing election results or the historical events. No criticisim of him from you, nothing, nil, zilch, not a dickie bird, I checked - dead easy to check.

Original Quill wrote:Bitch, bitch, bitch.  Didge, the only non-personal thing you have to say is: "EU leaders expressing dismay at the power social media ginats have."

So, they have power.  They've tapped into a rich vein and are mining it.  It's capitalist theory at its finest.

If you want something better, come join the socialist ranks.

He has NO sense of humour  even when you try to defuse a row by making a joke, to keep things light hearted.

He's got every right to criticise the liberals and post whatever opinions he wishes. But he does not have the right to pretend someone is lying about him - when I know for a fact that I wasn't lying. The facts are there for anyone who wants to check, easy to check.

I believe in free speech...

and that’s all I have to say, really.

I think this is an interesting moment for social media networks. They have on their hands a situation in which they at least say that they believe that Trump was inciting people to violence, yet if you parse Trump's messages on Twitter and Facebook, I think you have to be fair and say that at best, they were messages that some people could interpret as a call to violence.

Is it right to deny someone a platform because of how some people interpreted what they said? No, of course not.

On the other hand, if someone keeps talking and what they say results in more violence, I totally understand pulling the plug. I guess I would say, I think it should be a temporary solution to cool things down rather than a permanent policy.

Ah, it really rankles me to try to be fair to Trump. He doesn't deserve it and he wouldn't treat people he doesn't like fairly, but there you go -- fairness isn't about how you treat people you like, it's about how you treat people you despise.