Facebook and Twitter removed a video posted by President Trump Wednesday that the companies claim violated their rules against harmful misinformation about the coronavirus.
The video included a portion of an interview that aired on Fox News where President Trump claimed that children are “almost immune from the disease”, referring to COVID-19. According to the Wall Street Journal, the clip garnered approximately 450,000 views before being removed.
“This video includes false claims that a group of people is immune from COVID-19 which is a violation of our policies around harmful COVID misinformation,” Facebook spokesperson Andy Stone said in a statement Wednesday evening.
The post was also shared by the president’s campaign account, @TeamTrump, and reshared by the President. Twitter removed the video for rule violations and suspended the @TeamTrump account until they removed the post.
Trump campaign spokesperson Courtney Parella said in response to Facebook’s takedown that the President was “stating a fact that children are less susceptible to coronavirus."
Conservative leaders quickly responded to the removal.
Media Research Center (MRC) Founder and President Brent Bozell tweeted that Facebook and Twitter should be investigated for election interference.
“To censor the President during an election year, no matter what he says, is leftist election manipulation. Orwell would be proud,” Bozell said in a tweet.
Facebook and Twitter need to stop this crap! They should both be investigated for election interference. To censor the President during an election year, no matter what he says, is leftist election manipulation. Orwell would be proud.
— Brent Bozell (@BrentBozell) August 6, 2020
Rep. Doug Collins (R-Ga) suggested the two tech giants are “colluding to censor the President of the United States."
Collins, a member of the House Judiciary Committee, said the move was “absolutely outrageous” and is “exactly why we need to repeal Section 230."
Now Facebook and Twitter are colluding to censor the President of the United States?
— Rep. Doug Collins (@RepDougCollins) August 6, 2020
This is absolutely outrageous and exactly why we need to repeal Section 230.
Big Tech has become too powerful, and it’s time they are held accountable.https://t.co/ALCAqza9m3
This incident marks the first time that content has been removed from the President’s Facebook page for alleged “coronavirus misinformation.”