Trump fires back at social media ‘censorship’ of right-wingers

Published May 4, 2019 1:15am ET



President Trump responded Friday to what he called social media censorship of several of his prominent supporters.

“I am continuing to monitor the censorship of AMERICAN CITIZENS on social media platforms. This is the United States of America — and we have what’s known as FREEDOM OF SPEECH! We are monitoring and watching, closely!!” Trump tweeted.


“So surprised to see Conservative thinkers like James Woods banned from Twitter, and Paul Watson banned from Facebook!” Trump said in another tweet.


James Woods, an Oscar-nominated actor, was suspended from Twitter over a week ago for a post the social media platform called “abusive.” Woods has been a vocal supporter of the president and his policies on social media.

The president’s criticism follows Facebook’s Thursday ban of self-described right-wing activists and media figures Alex Jones, Milo Yiannopoulos, Paul Joseph Watson, and Laura Loomer.

Trump also took aim at Facebook’s year-old treatment of Diamond and Silk, two outspoken black supporters of the president.

“The wonderful Diamond and Silk have been treated so horribly by Facebook. They work so hard and what has been done to them is very sad – and we’re looking into. It’s getting worse and worse for Conservatives on social media!” Trump said.


Last April, Facebook deemed Diamond and Silk “unsafe to the community” in an email to the two women, prompting the sisters to testify before Congress. Facebook later blamed the email on an “enforcement error.”