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Facebook Gets Major Backlash from Lawmakers After Upholding Trump Ban

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Republican lawmakers issued a warning to Facebook after its Oversight Board upheld the social media giant’s suspension of former President Donald Trump on Wednesday morning.

“Facebook is more interested in acting like a Democrat Super PAC than a platform for free speech and open debate,” House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy tweeted.

“If they can ban President Trump, all conservative voices could be next. A House Republican majority will rein in big tech power over our speech.”

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Sen. Rick Scott of Florida added, “Big tech thinks it can control everything. Companies that censor Americans while giving brutal dictators a pass should not have free rein over your personal data to use for their benefit.”

“Disgraceful,” Texas Sen. Ted Cruz tweeted. “For every liberal celebrating Trump’s social media ban, if the Big Tech oligarchs can muzzle the former President, what’s to stop them from silencing you?”

Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn tweeted, “It’s clear that Mark Zuckerberg views himself as the arbiter of free speech.”

The Oversight Board’s controversial move Wednesday morning affirmed the company’s decision to remove Trump following the Jan. 6 incursion of the Capitol.

“Trump’s posts during the Capitol riot severely violated Facebook’s rules and encouraged and legitimized violence,” the board said.

It gave Facebook six months to review what it called an “arbitrary” indefinite ban, adding that Facebook “violated its own rules.”

The hashtag #DeleteFacebook trended on Twitter on Wednesday morning as calls to delete Facebook accounts increased over the board’s decision.

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Some posts retweeted a Mashable article that gave instructions on how to permanently remove your Facebook account.

“Facebook and Twitter and others have clearly established two different sets of rules,” Trump’s political adviser, Corey Lewandowski said in a radio interview, according to Fox News.

“One if you’re a conservative or a Republican or have a different ideology than them, and one if you’re a liberal.”

The news comes after Trump launched a new website Tuesday — DonaldJTrump.com/desk — that provides a running commentary in the style of the tweets that riveted Americans throughout his political campaigns and presidency.

Although he was handed a lifetime ban from Twitter after the Capitol incursion in January along with the Facebook ban, the new site allows those who want to comment about what Trump has posted to share their reaction to his comments on Twitter or Facebook.

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Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. A University of Oregon graduate, Erin has conducted research in data journalism and contributed to various publications as a writer and editor.
Erin Coates was an editor for The Western Journal for over two years before becoming a news writer. She grew up in San Diego, California, proceeding to attend the University of Oregon and graduate with honors holding a degree in journalism. During her time in Oregon, Erin was an associate editor for Ethos Magazine and a freelance writer for Eugene Magazine. She has conducted research in data journalism, which has been published in the book “Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future.” Erin is an avid runner with a heart for encouraging young girls and has served as a coach for the organization Girls on the Run. As a writer and editor, Erin strives to promote social dialogue and tell the story of those around her.
Birthplace
Tucson, Arizona
Nationality
American
Honors/Awards
Graduated with Honors
Education
Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, University of Oregon
Books Written
Contributor for Data Journalism: Past, Present and Future
Location
Prescott, Arizona
Languages Spoken
English, French
Topics of Expertise
Politics, Health, Entertainment, Faith




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