Trump Gets In Trouble On Twitter? Controversial Tweet About Violence Against Protesters Hidden By Social Media Site

Twitter on Tuesday enforced its abusive behavior rules against President Trump, hiding one of his tweets for violating them. Trump tweeted earlier in the day that if anyone tries to set up an autonomous zone in the nation’s capital, “they will be met with serious force!”

The action was the latest in a series by the social media platform. Earlier Trump tweets were flagged for promoting misinformation and promoting violence.

Trump’s tweet followed efforts by protesters Monday night to topple a statue of President Andrew Jackson next to the White House in Lafayette Square. The effort was thwarted by authorities and the crowd disbursed with batons and tear gas.

“There will never be an “Autonomous Zone” in Washington, D.C., as long as I’m your President. If they try they will be met with serious force!” Trump tweeted, referring to the area set up in Seattle around a police station earlier this month. Authorities left the protesters alone for the most part, but Mayor Jenny Durkan said Monday the zone would be dismantled soon following a weekend homicide.

Twitter hid Trump’s tweet with the message: “This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules about abusive behavior. However, Twitter has determined that it may be in the public’s interest for the Tweet to remain accessible.”

The tweet could be accessed by clicking, “View.”

Twitter said it would have taken down the tweet if it hadn’t come from a government official.

“Placing a Tweet behind this notice also limits the ability to engage with the Tweet through likes, Retweets, or sharing on Twitter, and makes sure the Tweet isn't algorithmically recommended by Twitter. These actions are meant to limit the Tweet’s reach while maintaining the public’s ability to view and discuss it,” Twitter said.

Earlier, Twitter flagged a presidential tweet that referred to Minneapolis social justice protesters as “THUGS” and contained a threat to use military intervention to limit looting in which he appended: “when the looting starts, the shooting starts.” In another instance, Twitter flagged a pair of presidential tweets that alleged widespread mail-in voting would lead to fraud in the November election.

Tuesday’s action followed by less than a week a decision by Facebook to remove a Trump campaign ad that incorporated a symbol the Nazis used to designate political prisoners in concentration camps.

Shortly after the vote fraud tweets were flagged, Trump signed an executive order last month that seeks to eliminate liability protections for social media platforms, saying he was doing so to “defend free speech.” He alleges the platforms censor conservatives, something the companies deny.