Causes and Reprecussions of Trump’s Twitter Ban Hemi Bell Surprisingly, the turn of These decisions have led the calendar a few weeks ago many of Trump’s supporters to did not immediately remove all claim that these sites are violat- of the woes of 2020. In fact, ing what they believe to be their 2021 seemed to exaggerate the first amendment rights to free beloved character of its prede- speech and press. However, no- cessor right out of the gates, where in the constitution (and with a rush of the US Capitol certainly not in the first amend- that felt more like the beginning ment), is it specified that anyone is still no shortage of right-wing discussion in the world. At least of a “fall of society” thriller than is guaranteed rights to a Twitter accounts on these sites, even as when these groups were drawn an actual political rally. While account, partially because the millions of users move to other to Facebook and Twitter there the true causes of this fiasco are founding fathers never could platforms that they deem more was an opportunity for others to far-reaching, consequences for have predicted Twitter and es- friendly to their beliefs. The discuss these ideas and attempt then-president Donald Trump pecially because even if they accounts targeted so far were to find common ground based were almost immediate. had, they have no control over not targeted strictly for their in fact. Removing these ideas President Trump’s feud the Terms of Service on the site. worldviews, but for spreading completely and forcing Trump, with Twitter is well documented, Among other things, Section proven misinformation, particu- his supporters and associated as the site has had a tendency 230 states that the U.S. govern- larly about COVID-19 and the groups onto their own, separate to openly tag and even censor ment has little to no control over 2020 Presidential Election and platforms creates more room for his content when they deem it what private businesses can or for threats to public safety from polarization. Without open fo- fallacious or potentially danger- can not allow on their sites in QAnon groups and even Trump rums for multisided discussions ous. Facebook and Instagram terms of speech (an article that himself. and the presentation of a variety were no strangers to Trump ei- Trump and the Republican par- Twitter and Facebook are of knowledge and takes, these ther, with his claims and theories ty have fought and are currently creating a safety net for them- opposing sides may only grow about “fake news” in the 2016 fighting to change). selves by completely blocking further apart, failing to under- election contributing to the im- Constitutionally, it was the flow of potentially harmful stand the motivations and ideas plementation of “fact-checking” within the rights of each of these false ideas from these repeating that fuel the other. software on both sites in re- companies to ban Trump just offenders, simultaneously keep- Educating oneself in- sponse to the issue. like they would ban anyone who ing these ideas from spreading volves working with radically dif- A series of tweets sur- they feel violates their Terms and distancing themselves from fering viewpoints and wrestling rounding the Capitol riots led of Service. Despite this, many the harm that groups like QA- fact, fiction and opinion. Sites Twitter to ban Trump, with the Americans from every scope of non pose. However, this choice like Parler that are meant to host company claiming that the “con- the political spectrum are still did not come lightly, as it has set primarily one school of thought text around them - specifically wondering if they should. a precedent that seems to some do not allow for this complex- how they are being perceived For better or for worse, to suggest that certain voic- ity. Despite removing some on and off Twitter” may lead to many Americans engage with so- es and views may not be wel- of these more radical thinkers, “risk of further incitement of vi- cial media as a means of spread- come on these major platforms. Twitter and Facebook still serve olence.” As a result, Facebook ing and gathering information Even Twitter’s own Jack Dorsey as relatively open spaces for and Instagram, Youtube, Ama- and beliefs about what’s hap- seems troubled by this decision discussion of a variety of views. zon, Snapchat, Reddit, Twitch pening in the country. Perhaps that he himself deemed neces- Realistically, most casual Twitter and even Shopify banned or due to age differences between sary. users won’t even realize they’re suspended Trump and platforms the two primary parties, many Despite the clear motives gone. representing his followers, such forms of online media today Zuckerberg, Dorsey and other The most outstanding as Parler. Shortly following, have grown to be particularly media executives have, it’s still takeaway from Twitter’s deci- many other accounts represent- left-leaning. This fact may make easy for users to wonder if it’s sion may just be that they aren’t ing similar ideas in support of it seem easy to contribute the really for the best to push these afraid to clean up their site, even Trump were banned, as well as mass ban of primarily right-wing groups and their ideas away if it means virtually shushing the thousands of “QAnon” accounts. users to a media bias, yet there from the most major hubs for President of the United States. -6-