MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Why was Marjorie Taylor Greene suspended from Twitter? Covid-19 statements deemed false

Twitter suspended Marjorie Taylor Greene's account for 12 hours following her tweet with misinformation about Covid-19

Georgia Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene's Twitter account was suspended for 12 hours on July 19. The suspension, Greene's first, came after the controversial Republican firebrand posted two tweets about Covid-19, which were blatantly false. It didn't take long for news of the suspension to spread on the platform, with many users celebrating the act. 

Twitter and Facebook have been at the forefront of a battle with conservatives on the limits of free speech in the US. Ever since Donald Trump was booted in January, numerous Republicans and right-wing personalities have slammed the social media giants for "violating the first amendment". The movement has led to the birth of other controversial platforms such as Parler and now Gettr. 

RELATED ARTICLES

Trump sues Facebook, Twitter and Google, Internet says ‘he’s irrelevant without social media’

Why did Twitter ban 'white nationalist' Nick Fuentes? Internet calls it 'a good start'

Greene, who has also jumped on to other "free speech" networks, has so far managed to avoid a Twitter ban, despite numerous calls to do so. Since being elected to Congress, she has continued to share conspiracy theories, unfounded claims about Covid-19 and push anti-vaxxers. However, it finally seems as if she crossed the line with the company. As of reporting, Greene's tweet has been flagged by Twitter, and she is no longer allowed to post. 

Why was Greene suspended?

Early on July 19, Greene commented on Rep Thomas Massie's tweet about Covid-19 vaccines and the military. As we reported earlier, Massie tweeted on July 4 that a soldier would quit if they were forced to take the Covid-19 vaccine. Weeks later, Greene chose to retweet that with a rather controversial take on the matter. "The controversial #COVID19 vaccines should not be forced on our military for a virus that is not dangerous for non-obese people and those under 65. With 6,000 vax related deaths and many concerning side effects reported, the vax should be a choice not a mandate for everyone," she said.

Twitter then flagged that tweet as "misleading". It also removed the ability for people to comment or like the particular tweet. You can, however, quote the tweet if you want, but Twitter brings up a similar "This Tweet is misleading. Learn why health officials recommend a vaccine for most people," warning when you attempt to do so. It also served Greene with a 12-hour suspension, the first time she has been suspended from Twitter.

While it is true Covid-19 is particularly dangerous for those with obesity and over 65, non-obese people are still highly susceptible to the virus. In fact, data shows younger people are now more likely to contact the Delta variant of the virus, which is also highly contagious. It is also important to note that the vaccine is safe and effective, and side effects are routinely reported with almost all vaccines, not just Covid-19. According to CDC data, 6,079 cases of death were reported among the 334 million doses given out between December 14, 2020, and July 12, 2021. That accounts for only about 0.0018 per cent of all vaccine doses. 

'Suspend her forever'

News of Greene's suspension was widely celebrated on social media. "Twitter just suspended Marjorie Taylor Greene for 12 hours for posting coronavirus misinformation. A good start. Now suspend her forever," one person tweeted. Another said, "Celebration time - Twitter suspended Marjorie Taylor Greene for disseminating false information about COVID vaccines! All I’ve got to say is - it’s about damned time!!!"

One person commented, "It amuses me greatly to learn that Marjorie Taylor-Greene has been suspended from Twitter again. I have a suspicion that she is going to be blaming Communist Socialist Radical Left California for this one." Another user theorized, "You have to know Empty Greene posted her bullshit for the sole purpose of getting suspended so she could fund-raise off of her right-wing hillbilly constituency's criminal ignorance of the First Amendment."

"I will sleep soundly knowing Marjorie Taylor Greene has been suspended from Twitter for 12 hours. Goodnight friends," one person said. Another trolled, "Marjorie Taylor Greene temporarily suspended from Twitter but permanently suspended from sanity."

Naturally, Greene has slammed the suspension. In a statement to The Hill, she said, "Twitter, Facebook, and the rest of the Silicon Valley Cartel are working hand in hand with the White House to censor Americans. This is a Communist-style assault on free speech. I will not back down and I will continue (to) tell the truth to the American people." The suspension is Greene's first official one, she was suspended "by accident" in March by Twitter but restored hours later.

The news of Greene's suspension comes at a critical time for conservatives. Earlier, we reported on how Fox Corporation had adopted a vaccine passport system for its employees, while hosts Tucker Carlson, Sean Hannity and Laura Ingraham have publicly slammed such programs. Following the revelation, Hannity told his viewers to "take Covid seriously" in a now-viral segment on July 19 evening. The GOP is also struggling to respond to a massive surge in Covid-19 cases, thanks to the Delta variant.