Former Ku Klux Klan leader David Duke has been “permanently suspended” from Twitter because of repeated violations of the company’s rules against hate speech.
Although it isn’t clear if one specific tweet by the 70-year-old white supremacist triggered his suspension, a spokesperson for the social media giant told the Washington Examiner that Duke’s account was “permanently suspended for repeated violations of the Twitter Rules on hateful conduct.”
“Our Hateful Conduct Policy prohibits the promotion of violence against — or threats of attack towards — people on the basis of certain categories such as religious affiliation, race, and ethnic origin,” the spokesperson added.
The Twitter representative pointed out that the “enforcement action is in line with our recently updated guidance on harmful links.” Twitter beefed up its policy on links this week to include “hateful conduct and violence” among the categories of links that the site would take action against.
Duke is a well-known anti-Semite and racist who was grand wizard of the KKK from 1974 to 1980. In addition to several unsuccessful political campaigns, he served a brief stint as a Republican representative in Louisiana’s House.
Duke generated headlines last year when he endorsed Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard of Hawaii for president, an endorsement that she soundly rejected. He later endorsed President Trump for reelection.
