Twitter to Label 'Abusive'Tweets That Violate Its Rules

06/27/2019

Social platform will downgrade and label tweets from politicians that break its rules but otherwise serve the public interest

Tweets hit with the warning label will be algorithmically downgraded in its users’ timelines and search queries.

“Serving the public conversation includes providing the ability for anyone to talk about what matters to them; this can be especially important when engaging with government officials and political figures,” the company said in its post. “By nature of their positions these leaders have outsized influence and sometimes say things that could be considered controversial or invite debate and discussion.”

The new measure appears to be an attempt to find a middle ground between those that have called on Twitter to be more proactive in removing “hate speech,” and those that have suggested the company should take a more hands-off approach to what its users are saying. Twitter CEO Jack Dorsey has, on several occasions in the last year, said the company is increasingly focused on improving the “health” of public conversation on its platform.

At the same time, many of President Trump’s critics have skewered Twitter for allowing him to tweet things that ordinary users would get in trouble for. This was evident last year when the president bashed North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for bragging he had a nuclear button on his desk. Trump warned he, too, has a nuclear button, but “it is a much bigger and more powerful one than his, and my Button works!” At the time, Twitter said Trump’s grilling was OK because “elected world leaders play a critical role” in shaping conversation. Moving forward, a similar tweet could likely result in the president receiving one of Twitter’s new warning labels.

2020 Presidential Contenders: Everyone Who's Challenging Donald Trump So Far (Photos)

There are still over 20 months to go until the 2020 presidential election, but the competition to *maybe* replace Donald Trump in the White House is already stiff.
The list already includes senators Joe Birden, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren and Kirsten Gillibrand, former Obama cabinet member Julián Castro and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. And that’s just people who have officially declared — some high profile politicians and wannabes are teasing runs too. It’s a lot to keep track of, but we’re here to help. Here’s TheWrap’s list of everyone who has announced they are running for president so far.
Joe Biden –
Democratic Party
The former Obama VP was a late entry to the race, formally declaring his run for the presidency on April 25. But he’s long been a presumed frontrunner, leading many early polls. This is third presidential run, and for months he’s been telling anyone who’ll listen that he’d be the most qualified candidate for the job. He’s also already been under scrutiny over criticism about his behavior with women, prompting him to post a video promising he’d be “more mindful and respectful” of a woman’s “personal space.”
CBS
Beto O’Rourke – Democratic Party
The former congressman from El Paso, Texas, announced he is running for president on March 14, saying: “This is a defining moment of truth for this country and for every single one of us,” and that the challenges have never been greater. “They will either consume us, or they will afford us the greatest opportunity to unleash the genius of the United States of America,” he added. O’Rourke has already made a name for himself as a record-breaking fundraiser, the subject of an HBO documentary and a favorite among Hollywood elite.
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Bernie Sanders
Democratic Party
Bernie Sanders, the runner-up in the 2016 contest for the Democratic nomination, has recorded a campaign video in which he says he is running for president in 2020, according to a report in Politico.
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Elizabeth Warren –
Democratic Party
The Massachusetts Senator formally announced her candidacy on Feb. 9 at a rally in her home state, and shortly after followed up with a tweet that read: “I believe in an America of opportunity. My daddy ended up as a janitor, but his little girl got the chance to be a public school teacher, a college professor, a United States Senator – and a candidate for President of the United States. #Warren2020.”
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Tulsi Gabbard –
Democratic Party
Gabbard, a U.S. Representative for Hawaii’s 2nd congressional district, endorsed Bernie Sanders in 2016, but in 2020 she’s all-in on herself. She told CNN’s Van Jones on Jan. 12 that she intends to run, and would make “a formal announcement within the next week.” That announcement hasn’t happened yet, but her Twitter account is bedecked with campaign branding.
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Julián Castro –
Democratic Party
The former mayor of San Antonio — and former Obama cabinet member — entered the presidential race on Jan. 12.
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Kirsten Gillibrand –
Democratic Party
The Senator from New York announced her bid Tuesday, Jan. 15 on “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert.”
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Kamala Harris –
Democratic Party
The California senator announced her bid for the presidency on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Jan. 21, while appearing on ABC’s “Good Morning America.” As a possible indication of her chances, her recent CNN town hall was the network’s highest rated single presidential candidate town hall ever.
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Pete Buttegieg –
Democratic Party
The 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Indiana, announced his presidential exploratory committee on Jan. 23. If he prevails in next year’s primary, he’ll be the first openly gay presidential nominee from a major political party.
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Cory Booker –
Democratic Party
The New Jersey senator and former mayor of Newark formally tossed his name into the presidential hat on Feb. 1, the first day of Black History Month.
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Marianne Williamson –
Democratic Party
The “Healing the Soul of America” author and founder of Project Angel Food announced her candidacy during a political rally at the Saban Theater in Los Angeles on Jan. 28.
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Andrew Yang –
Democratic Party
The entrepreneur and son of immigrant parents from Taiwan became a contender a year ago, telling The New York Times that he will advocate for a universal basic income.
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John Delaney –
– Democratic Party
The U.S. Representative for Maryland’s 6th district declared back in July 2017. He says he’ll “end reckless trade wars and expand trade,” “create a universal health care system” and “launch a national AI strategy.”
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Amy Klobuchar –
Democratic Party
The Minnesota Democrat, first elected to the U.S. Senate in 2006, announced her bid on Feb. 10, 2019, saying that she wanted to work for “everyone who wanted their work recognized.”
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Honorable Mention: Howard Schultz –
Independent
Like Biden, the former Starbucks CEO hasn’t formally declared, but he’s teased a possible run as an independent on the book tour for his autobiography. Given widespread fears that a third party candidate could help ensure a Trump victory, so far Schultz’s hypothetical candidacy isn’t going over well, according to a recent poll.
Schultz is a co-founder of the venture capital firm Maveron, which is an investor in TheWrap.
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The crop of candidates already includes Joe Biden, Beto O’Rourke, Elizabeth Warren, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris and more

There are still over 20 months to go until the 2020 presidential election, but the competition to *maybe* replace Donald Trump in the White House is already stiff.

The list already includes senators Joe Birden, Cory Booker, Kamala Harris, Elizabeth Warren and Kirsten Gillibrand, former Obama cabinet member Julián Castro and Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. And that’s just people who have officially declared — some high profile politicians and wannabes are teasing runs too. It’s a lot to keep track of, but we’re here to help. Here’s TheWrap’s list of everyone who has announced they are running for president so far.

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