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TWITTER SPAT

Twitter adds ANOTHER warning to Donald Trump’s Twitter saying he ‘glorified violence’ with George Floyd rioters warning

TWITTER has slapped a warning on Donald Trump’s tweet about the George Floyd rioters, saying it “glorified violence”.

It is the second time the social media site has red-flagged a message by the President in four days.

 Donald Trump's tweet got slapped with a warning from the social media site
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Donald Trump's tweet got slapped with a warning from the social media siteCredit: Twitter
 Rioters set fire to a police station in Minneapolis
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Rioters set fire to a police station in MinneapolisCredit: Reuters

Mr Trump’s message about the disturbances in Minneapolis sparked by the death of George Floyd warned that “when the looting starts, the shooting starts” and labelled those taking part in the riots were “thugs”.

The comment came as a third night of violent disturbances took place in Minneapolis and other demonstrations took place in other US cities after a police officer was pictured kneeling on George Floyd’s head with the man later dying.

Trump's 1am tweet warned that the federal government would “assume control” with “shooting” if necessary after protesters set fire to a police precinct.

But Twitter slapped a warning on the tweet less than three hours later, saying it had “taken action in the interest of preventing others from being inspired to commit violent acts”.

The warning though can be bypassed and is still available to be read.

'GLORIFICATION OF VIOLENCE'

Trump's message said in full: “These THUGS are dishonoring the memory of George Floyd, and I won't let that happen. Just spoke to Governor Tim Walz and told him that the Military is with him all the way. Any difficulty and we will assume control but, when the looting starts, the shooting starts."

The message was a reply to an initial tweet - not red-flagged by Twitter - which took aim at the Democratic mayor of Minneapolis for his handling of the crisis.

The latest spat is part of a wider row between the President and social media giants and attacks on their status.

Twitter claimed Mr Trump's tweet “violates our policies regarding the glorification of violence based on the historical context of the last line, its connection to violence, and the risk it could inspire similar actions today.

“As is standard with this notice, engagements with the tweet will be limited. People will be able to retweet with comment, but will not be able to like, reply or retweet it.”

 President Trump recently signed the executive order over social media sites
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President Trump recently signed the executive order over social media sitesCredit: Reuters

However, Twitter said it was “in the public interest for the tweet to remain accessible” given its “relevance to ongoing matters of public importance”.

Trump has not yet responded to the message, which appeared at around 4am in Washington.

The President recently which would potentially leave them exposed to a flurry of lawsuits.

Mr Trump also claims social media sites show a left wing bias.

Twitter said the order was a politically motivated which attacked free speech.

In contrast to Twitter, Mr Trump praised Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg for his criticism of Twitter’s decision to fact-check tweets.

“CEO Mark Zuckerberg is today criticizing Twitter,” Trump wrote before sharing Zuckerberg's statement.

“We have a different policy than, I think, Twitter on this,' Zuckerberg said in an interview with .

“I just believe strongly that Facebook shouldn't be the arbiter of truth of everything that people say online,” he added.

“Private companies probably shouldn't be, especially these platform companies, shouldn't be in the position of doing that.”

 Demonstrators gather outside a liquor store in Minneapolis as it burns
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Demonstrators gather outside a liquor store in Minneapolis as it burnsCredit: AFP or licensors
 Violence erupted once again last night in Minneapolis
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Violence erupted once again last night in MinneapolisCredit: Reuters
George Floyd protestors hit streets across the US for third night as troops are deployed after mass looting and arson


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