Twitter Bans Posts Wishing Death On Trump, But Did Nothing About Death Threats To “The Squad”

Twitter has posted its policy against wishing harm or death to someone in light of Trump’s recent Covid-19 diagnosis. But many wonder why this policy hasn’t been used in the past, especially for the four Democratic Congresswomen known as “The Squad.”

NY Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, MI Rep. Rashida Tlaib, MN Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, and MA Rep. Ayanna Pressley have all complained about the threats they receive on social media and the lack of response Twitter has shown in doing anything about it, but now Twitter seems to be taking a hard stance. 

On Friday, Twitter responded to media reports about people wishing death to Trump by tweeting from a verified account run by Twitter’s spokespeople saying, “tweets that wish or hope for death, serious bodily harm or fatal disease against *anyone* are not allowed and will need to be removed.”

https://twitter.com/TwitterComms/status/1312167835783708672?s=20

Rep. Rashida Tlaib responded to Twitter saying, “Seriously though, this is messed up. The death threats towards us should have been taking more seriously by [Twitter].” 

Other members of “The Squad” also suggested that this newfound policy is a surprise, as Twitter never took complaints about threats of personal attacks toward any of them seriously. A simple Twitter search of their names followed by “hang for treason” results in countless tweets from many users calling for the deaths of the women. 

“I hope you both hang for TREASON!” one user tweeted to both Reps Tlaib and Omar can be seen as example. ⠀

According to CNN, the policy is not new for Twitter but tweets that violate the rules are often missed by the company and not removed- making the policy virtually useless. Twitter claims that repeat offenders will eventually end up permanently suspended. 

“Our policies — which apply to everyone, everywhere — are clear: We do not tolerate content that wishes, hopes or expresses a desire for death, serious bodily harm or fatal disease against an individual or group of people. If we identify accounts that violate these rules, we will take enforcement action,” a Twitter spokesperson told CNN. 

Seriously though, this is messed up. The death threats towards us should have been taking more seriously by @TwitterComms https://t.co/IOS7s2n1wx

— Rashida Tlaib (@RashidaTlaib) October 3, 2020