ALL NEWS

Twitter banned President Trump. But can it actually last forever?

Jan 9, 2021, 7:09 PM | Updated: Jan 11, 2021, 5:47 am

twitter banned Trump...

FILE - This April 26, 2017, file photo shows the Twitter app icon on a mobile phone in Philadelphia (AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

(AP Photo/Matt Rourke, File)

After Twitter banned President Donald Trump from its platform Friday — along with a slew of other social media sites — the president has begun looking for other ways to keep in touch with supporters.

Among those is Parler, a new social media site that touts its lack of censorship. Since its inception, the site has attracted several Trump supporters, conspiracy theorists and conservatives. 

Although President Trump hasn’t been removed from Parler, app stores like Apple and Google removed the platform citing posts encouraging violence and false claims. 

Since then, the president has floated the idea of creating his own social media platform for supporters. It’s not clear whether he’ll do this or how long it may take. 

This comes after violent protests erupted in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday outside the Capitol as Congress convened to certify the Electoral College vote. While the president was not physically present, he posted from his Twitter account — prompting criticism that he was “inciting violence.”

After sites like Facebook and Twitter removed the president from their sites, the question remains: Can he really be banned forever? 

Can Twitter legally remove President Trump forever? 

While most social media sites, like Facebook and Instagram, only suspended the president’s accounts until Inauguration Day (Jan. 20), Twitter took the unusual step to have its ban last “permanently.”

It’s unclear how long this ban would last and if it’s even legal for a social media site to do so. 

“There’s an underlying question whether the First Amendment applies,” said ABC News Legal Analyst Royal Oakes. “Let’s assume for the moment that Twitter has a limited right to suspend of ban people. […] For them to say he is gone ‘permanently,’ I think allows people to criticize and say that really went over the line. On the other hand, there is a legitimate debate as to whether it was incitement of riot.” 

Several supporters have taken to social media to argue Twitter violated the First Amendment by banning President Trump. However, the First Amendment only protects against the government restricting free speech — so it’s unclear whether the social media site is in violation. 

“That’s in flux,” Oakes said. “As a result, everything is murky. Does the First Amendment apply? Was this going over the top?”

It’s a longstanding debate. Experts have argued for years whether social media sites have the right to ban people or groups, arguing it’s unlawful censorship. 

Oakes said it would make more sense if Twitter opted for a temporary ban like its social media counterparts. But with a “permanent” suspension, it’s unclear whether the president will get to sign back onto his Twitter account.

 

Listen to the full interview with Royal Oakes: 

We want to hear from you.

Have a story idea or tip? Send it to the KSL NewsRadio team here.

All News

"Burn Book," by longtime Silicon Valley reporter Kara Swisher is seen, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, in Sa...

Jeff Caplan

Jeff Caplan’s Minute of News: Telling tales about tech bros

Kara Swisher’s new book paints an ugly picture of Silicon Valley.

40 minutes ago

pets...

Curt Gresseth

Don’t surrender pets to a shelter. Send in a pro to reverse bad behavior, says Utah trainer

An expert discusses controlling the unwanted behavior of pets.

46 minutes ago

Exclusive video obtained by KSL NewsRadio shows Salt Lake hit-and-run in the Avenues neighborhood. ...

Eric Cabrera

WATCH: Exclusive video shows woman survives Salt Lake City hit and run

KSL NewsRadio has exclusively obtained footage of a Salt Lake City hit-and-run, where a woman was struck while out for a run in the Avenues.

50 minutes ago

Defense attorney John Prior questions David Warwick during Chad Daybell's preliminary hearing in Fr...

Emma Keddington

Judge orders gag order for upcoming Chad Daybell case

Judge Steven Boyce has issued a gag order in the Chad Daybell case, after Daybell's attorney spoke with a media outlet.

1 hour ago

colorado river...

Adam Small

More than half of the Colorado River’s water is being used for farming, study finds

The Colorado River provides water to 40 million people in seven states, including Utah, as well as Mexico.

1 hour ago

12 year old driver shown driving erratically on freeway...

Sam Herrera

WATCH: Police release dash cam footage of 12-year-old driver

The Utah Highway Patrol said the 12-year-old driver stole her mom's car. The girl was briefly arrested before being released to her parents.

3 hours ago

Sponsored Articles

Mother and cute toddler child in a little fancy wooden cottage, reading a book, drinking tea and en...

Visit Bear Lake

How to find the best winter lodging in Bear Lake, Utah

Winter lodging in Bear Lake can be more limited than in the summer, but with some careful planning you can easily book your next winter trip.

Happy family in winter clothing at the ski resort, winter time, watching at mountains in front of t...

Visit Bear Lake

Ski more for less: Affordable ski resorts near Bear Lake, Utah

Plan your perfect ski getaway in Bear Lake this winter, with pristine slopes, affordable tickets, and breathtaking scenery.

front of the Butch Cassidy museum with a man in a cowboy hat standing in the doorway...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

Looking Back: The History of Bear Lake

The history of Bear Lake is full of fascinating stories. At over 250,000 years old, the lake has seen generations of people visit its shores.

silhouette of a family looking over a lake with a bird in the top corner flying...

Bear Lake Convention and Visitors Bureau

8 Fun Activities To Do in Bear Lake Without Getting in the Water

Bear Lake offers plenty of activities for the whole family to enjoy without having to get in the water. Catch 8 of our favorite activities.

Wellsville Mountains in the spring with a pond in the foreground...

Wasatch Property Management

Advantages of Renting Over Owning a Home

Renting allows you to enjoy luxury amenities and low maintenance without the long-term commitment and responsibilities of owning a home.

Clouds over a red rock vista in Hurricane, Utah...

Wasatch Property Management

Why Southern Utah is a Retirement Paradise

Retirement in southern Utah offers plenty of cultural and recreational opportunities. Find out all that this region has to offer.

Twitter banned President Trump. But can it actually last forever?