“Following a recent close review of Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the surrounding context we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of inciting further violence,” Twitter said.
“In the context of this week’s horrific events, we made it clear Wednesday that further violations of Twitter Rules could lead to this very act.”
Twitter’s decision came after two tweets by Trump Friday afternoon that would be his last. The tweets went against the company’s policy against highlighting violence, Twitter said, and “these two tweets need to be read in the context of wider events in the country and the ways in which reports can be the Presidency acted by a variety of audiences, including inciting violence, as well as in the context of a pattern of behavior from this account a few weeks ago. “
The first tweet was about Trump supporters.
“The 75,000,000 American Patriots will vote for me, AMERICA FIRST, and AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, on GIANT VOICE in the near future. They will not be suspected or treated unfairly in a way, shape or any shape !!! “
The latter said Trump did not intend to attend Joe Biden’s inauguration.
“To all who asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20.”
Twitter said the tweet regarding consecration could be seen as another statement that the election was not valid. He also said the tweet could be interpreted as Trump saying the consecration would be a “safe” target for violence in his absence.
Another Trump statement on the American nation suggested “that it intends to continue to provide support, power, and a shield for those who believe it has won the election,” Twitter said.
The Twitter ban specifically addresses the “@realDonaldTrump account,” not President Donald Trump personally.
It is unclear whether Twitter has tried to prevent Trump from launching new accounts, or from tweeting using the hands of a U.S. government such as @POTUS or @WhiteHouse. But the restrictions on Trump appear to be limited to his personal account, with the specific language in a Twitter message.
A Twitter spokesperson did not immediately answer questions on the matter.