Twitter Suspends Donald Trump Jr.’s Account Over False Claims About COVID-19

Donald Trump Jr.’s Twitter account was temporarily restricted after he posted a viral video filled with misinformation about COVID-19. The video, which was originally published on Breitbart News, featured a group of “America’s Frontline Doctors” claiming “This virus has a cure, it’s called hydroxychloroquine, zinc, and Zithromax, … You don’t need masks, there is a cure.” Both claims are demonstrably false: those drugs don’t cure or prevent the coronavirus, and masks have been repeatedly proven to be effective in fighting the spread of the virus.

Both the president and his son have retweeted the video, which went viral on Facebook and YouTube before it was removed from both sites for promoting misinformation. Twitter is also working to remove the video, with a Twitter spokesperson saying, “We’re taking action in line with our Covid misinfo policy.”

As a result, Twitter limited Don Jr.’s account and banned him from tweeting for 12 hours. As you can probably guess, the White House did not take this well, and Trump’s spokesperson Andrew Surabian quickly issued a response:

Surabian also released a statement saying “It is beyond the pale for Twitter to silence someone for sharing the views of medical professionals who happen to dissent with their anti-Hydroxychloroquine narrative.”

President Trump also retweeted the video, but his account wasn’t penalized. A Twitter spokesperson said, “The President did not Tweet the video in question, he Retweeted it. Therefore, the account owner of the Tweet he Retweeted will face enforcement action.”

One of the doctors in the video, Stella Immanuel, has also claimed that many medical issues are the result of people having dream sex with demons and witches so yeah, she’s probably not an accurate source for medical advice.

It all amounts to the willful spread of dangerous and false information about the pandemic that has killed over 150,000 Americans. The Trumps have always lied about everything, but to do so in the face of a devastating virus is wildly irresponsible and unhinged. If the Trump family earned a dollar for every lie they told the public, they would legitimately be the billionaires the pretend to be.

Many took to Twitter to lambast Don Jr. and his father for their dangerous behavior:

(via CNN, image: Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

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Chelsea Steiner

Chelsea was born and raised in New Orleans, which explains her affinity for cheesy grits and Britney Spears. An pop culture journalist since 2012, her work has appeared on Autostraddle, AfterEllen, and more. Her beats include queer popular culture, film, television, republican clownery, and the unwavering belief that 'The Long Kiss Goodnight' is the greatest movie ever made. She currently resides in sunny Los Angeles, with her husband, 2 sons, and one poorly behaved rescue dog. She is a former roller derby girl and a black belt in Judo, so she is not to be trifled with. She loves the word “Jewess” and wishes more people used it to describe her.

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