President Donald Trump attacked Twitter for allegedly banning several prominent Republican officials and prominent conservatives on its platform, in a Thursday tweet.
“Twitter ‘SHADOW BANNING’ prominent Republicans,” Trump tweeted. “Not good. We will look into this discriminatory and illegal practice at once! Many complaints.”
Twitter “SHADOW BANNING” prominent Republicans. Not good. We will look into this discriminatory and illegal practice at once! Many complaints.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 26, 2018
Trump referenced a Wednesday report from Vice News which details how prominent Republican officials such as GOP chairman Ronna McDaniel are not being featured in search results for users. The report cited a similar effect on a spokesman for First Son Donald Trump Jr.
A Daily Caller review of its reporters revealed that a similar effect was occurring to members of its staff.
VICE sheds light on the practice of Twitter shadow banning conservatives from the search bar. I have noticed this for weeks now when trying to get to @chuckrossdc‘s TL https://t.co/wD5M80NwKu pic.twitter.com/vS8IoLdTTA
— Saagar Enjeti (@esaagar) July 25, 2018
Twitter defended its service in a comment to Vice saying that some users were incorrectly identified by its algorithm, though a review of accounts run by prominent Democrats and Liberals did not show a similar effect.