Why Twitter Won't Ban Trump | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics

Why Twitter Won't Ban Trump

Twitter seems to believe that world leaders are exempt from following simple user policies

560
Why Twitter Won't Ban Trump
https://az616578.vo.msecnd.net/files/2018/01/08/636509729433045121-2047365212_Unknown.png

On January 2nd, President Trump sent out a Tweet attacking North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un, who claimed the day before that the US is within reach of North Korea's nuclear missiles and he has a nuclear button on his desk always ready to attack the US.

https://twitter.com/realdonaldtrump/status/948355557022420992The Tweet reads: "North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the 'nuclear button is on his desk at all times'. Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!"

While past Tweets have been the source of outrage, confusion, and sometimes humor, this is the first Tweet in several months that has led to thousands calling for Twitter to ban, or at the very least suspend, the president's account. They claim the Tweet, which sounds reminiscent of two first-graders arguing on the playground about who has the better toy or who could beat up who, threatens national security and could provoke an international conflict by taunting an unstable and unpredictable world leader who may or may not have access to nuclear weapons.It is hardly the sort of behavior people would hope for from the president of a relatively powerful nation and Twitter has become an enabler of not only foolish behavior, but now potentially dangerous behavior.

Though this Tweet, along with past several past Tweets, could be seen as violations of https://help.twitter.com/en/rules-and-policies/twitter-rulesTwitter's user rules, they have once again refused to ban or suspend the account. But this time, they have given a reason.

In a blog post published a few days later, https://blog.twitter.com/official/en_us/topics/company/2017/world-leaders-and-twitter.htmlTwitter said "Blocking a world leader from Twitter or removing their controversial Tweets would hide important information people should be able to see and debate. It would also not silence that leader, but it would certainly hamper necessary discussion around their words and actions."

The post does not mention Trump by name, but it is very easy to deduce it was written with the president in mind. That is a great stance and all, except that Trump's Tweets have almost no merit based in fact and aren't worthy of being debated. In the words of http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/02/politics/donald-trump-north-korea-nuclear/index.htmlCongressman Jim Himes on CNN, "We have gotten to a place, a very weird place, where it really doesn't matter what the President of the United States says anymore because it is so bizarre, strange, not true, infantile."

There is no discussion to be had about the vast majority of Trump's Tweets, as Twitter believes. They are nonsensical and childish, but also increasingly alarming and dangerous because of where they come from. Twitter may possibly have business concerns at play and be using the reasoning in the blog post as a cover, but concerns about angering the president and his followers by a ban or suspension is hardly better than the reasons they have officially provided.

Banning his account would certainly not silence the President, but it would remove a platform where he can write whatever he wants at any hour he wants for the whole world to see and save without any checks from advisers. While most of his Tweets are moronic yet harmless, Trump showed that he is more than willing to taunt world leaders with strong military capabilities. This is a huge threat to diplomacy as it comes from the President of the United States. Several people have pointed out that Trump will simply find new avenues to spew whatever strain of words he pulls together, but is that enough to justify allowing him to continue using Twitter to bully other politicians and world leaders? Do we stop punishing children just because we know they will find other ways to misbehave?

What do you think? Have Trump's Tweets moved to a point that they are serious enough to warrant a ban or suspension? Should world leaders get an exemption from Twitter's guidelines and user policy?

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

186383
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

12449
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456131
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

25525
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments