Far-right Congresswoman and prominent conspiracy theorist Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia's personal Twitter account was recently banned for repeatedly breaking the company's policy against promoting disinformation regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, which has killed over 800 thousand Americans.
Greene predictably claimed Twitter—a private entity—was infringing on her right to free speech. She called it an "enemy to America" that must be destroyed.
Former President Donald Trump—who was himself banned from Twitter after his lies about the 2020 election incited a deadly attack on the U.S. Capitol—issued a statement supporting Greene, and calling for his supporters to leave Twitter and Facebook.
Well, he’s telling his MAGA followers to leave Twitter and Facebook now. We will see how loyal they are now! pic.twitter.com/U0p91Iwcti
— Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) January 4, 2022
Trump wrote:
"Twitter is a disgrace to democracy. They shouldn't be allowed to do business in this Country. Marjorie Taylor Greene has a huge constituency of honest, patriotic, hard-working people. They don't deserve what's happened to them on places like low-life Twitter and Facebook. Everybody should drop off of Twitter and Facebook. They're boring, have only a Radical Left point of view, and are hated by everyone. They are a disgrace to our Nation. Keep fighting, Marjorie!"
It's worth noting that Trump himself is preparing the launch of a conservative social media outlet, Truth Social, in which Greene has invested more than $15 thousand. A mass exodus of conservatives from mainstream social media outlets could be a lucrative development for both.
What's more, the idea that Facebook censors conservatives isn't supported by actual data. As recently as December 21, eight out of 10 of Facebook's most-viewed political posts were from right-leaning pages.
Nevertheless, Trump's critics encouraged his supporters to heed his demand.
I personally welcome a future where his most loyal supporters aren't on Facebook and Twitter ;) https://t.co/nAYGSumxsV
— Thomas Baekdal (@baekdal) January 4, 2022
if they don’t like it here, they can leave https://t.co/nTUPLEftTu
— 𝚋𝚊𝚡𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝚋𝚎𝚊𝚗 (@TheBaxterBean) January 4, 2022
Hey #MAGA, obey the order! https://t.co/5K1qPmKGMx
— Arriadna✨🇺🇸 (@Arriadna) January 4, 2022
By all means gtfo https://t.co/gyo4eKUL1K
— cryborg (@cryborg) January 4, 2022
pls proceed https://t.co/2gQoSHT7nH
— Eric Boehlert (@EricBoehlert) January 4, 2022
Follow Dear Leader’s direct orders and get vaccinated as well. https://t.co/5PubM4koWH
— Collin Fisher, PhD (@CollinFisher) January 4, 2022
Some conservatives did vow to obey.
It is time folks! Get off of Twitter! Stop sleeping with the enemy! Twitter hates you! Speak with your feet and walk away. Let’s destroy this monster. GETTR is easy to operate - no learning curve! I’m gone!
GETTR: @eric_wilson https://t.co/BjDRq3Aam9
— Eric Wilson (@ImnotEricWilson) January 4, 2022
The President is right! I'm just here to defend him. Once TruthSocial is online, I am out of here! https://t.co/7E08Am9Cx9
— Kathy Mattice (@45in24orB4) January 4, 2022
Twitter is terrible. Can't wait for TRUTH Social⚡💥 https://t.co/R2VC5RokIO
— President-Elect 46 🇺🇸 New Atlantis (@EFT_Seattle) January 4, 2022
It's unclear if Trump's most loyal supporters in Congress will voluntarily delete their accounts.
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Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images