Donald Trump permanently suspended from Twitter due to risk of ‘further incitement of violence’

Twitter has banned US President Donald Trump from its service permanently “due to the risk of further incitement of violence”.

The social media platform has just published a statement saying, “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 platform pointed to two tweets from the President this morning as violation of its “Glorification of Violence” policy, which it says “aims to prevent the glorification of violence that could inspire others to replicate violent acts”.

Twitter listed five reasons the two tweets violated the policy:

1. “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”

2. “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.”

3. “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.”

4. “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.”

5. ” 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.”

The social media giant added that plans for a future attack on 17 January on the Capitol and other state buildings were being discussed on and off its platform.

It came after the accounts of some of Mr Trump’s most hardline supporters, including his former national security advisor Michael Flynn and lawyer Sidney Powell, were also suspended.

The account of Ron Watkins, the administrator of the 8kun online forum that is a haven for QAnon content, was also suspended.

ABC, SBS