Quite a few people have demanded from Twitter to deactivate President Trump’s account. In response, Twitter has told them emphatically no. They will not close the Presidents account and explain why. Twitter stated on Friday that “Blocking a world leader from Twitter or removing their controversial Tweets, would hide important information people should be able to see and debate.” It goes hand in hand with Twitters culture which it so generates a “global, public conversation.” On top of this, there is the issue of the First Amendment and the fact that “It would also not silence that leader, but it would certainly hamper necessary discussion around their words and actions.”
What has set people off, specifically those that are upset that Trump was elected, which accounts for nearly 50% of the US population (mainly Democrats) is his constant use of the platform to send out messages? Trump is known to have think skin and a short temper, so Twitter is a great place for him to vent his frustration. While world leaders are expected to keep their personal opinions to themselves and put the “global” perspective into play when answering issues, Trump likes to reply immediately and in some cases without review.
For instance, when North Korean Leader Kim Jong posted that the ‘Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times,” Trump tweeted. “Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime, please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his and my Button works!”
This tweet led a lot of frustrated people to demand to retrain the President of the United States of America from using Twitter or any other social messaging platform as a means to communicate nuclear annihilation.
Twitter’s culture is to promote news and discussion, and this policy was stated firmly by Twitter “Our policy does [account for] newsworthiness as well, and that was requested by our policy team. So, we’re not taking something down that people should be able to report on and actually show that this is what the source said.”
Twitters CEO Jack Dorsey stated on Friday that “No one person’s account drives Twitter’s growth, or influences these decisions. We work hard to remain unbiased with the public interest in mind.” Which is consistent with their approach.
My take: President Trump is the best Twitter PR user they have; his use of the platform can save them countless millions in marketing. Together with the dialog, he is generating due to his Twitter account, Twitter remains and will continue to be the worlds leading short message platform.
