The disparity in Twitter street cred between the candidates adds merit to accusations that the company has politicized the verification process
As national Republicans continue to abandon Alabama Senate candidate Roy Moore in the wake of multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, the Republican has taken to Twitter to defend himself.
But ordinary Twitter users might have difficulty sussing out the real Roy Moore since the platform has consistently declined to verify his personal account on the social media platform and bless his profile with the coveted blue check mark.
The account of Moore’s Democratic opponent, Doug Jones, is verified.
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Small but telling programming note. Twitter has steadfastly refused to verify Roy Moore — but not his Democratic opponent Doug Jones pic.twitter.com/VMyVdOqqf3
— Jon Levine (@LevineJonathan) November 14,2017
Twitter declined to comment on Moore’s specific account.
A person familiar with the matter noted that even if Moore did submit a verification request, it would likely be withheld, as the company suspended the process after public outcry over the verification of white nationalist and Charlottesville, Virginia, rally organizer Jason Kessler.
Still, Moore joined the platform back in April and clinched the GOP nomination for Senate in September, more than a month before Twitter put the verification process on hold.
Verification was meant to authenticate identity & voice but it is interpreted as an endorsement or an indicator of importance. We recognize that we have created this confusion and need to resolve it. We have paused all general verifications while we work and will report back soon
— Twitter Support (@TwitterSupport) November 9,2017
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The platform often works with public figures, including those in government and politics, to help them use the platform effectively, according to a Twitter insider.
But for some reason, it seems that the company did the engagement efforts did not extend to Moore.
A spokesperson for the Moore campaign did not immediately respond to TheWrap’s request for comment.
The clear disparity in Twitter street cred between the candidates could add fuel to longstanding accusations that the company has politicized the verification process by using the check as a reward (or punishment).
The company has long refused to verify WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, and withdrew the check from right-wing provocateur and former Breitbart editor Milo Yiannopoulos as punishment for his conduct on the platform — before ultimately banning him outright.
We’ve been trying to verify this account since early October.
— Julian Assange???? (@JulianAssange) March 14,2017
9 People #BlockedByTrump on Twitter, From Chrissy Teigen to Stephen King (Photos)
While Donald Trump likes to dole out criticism on Twitter, he certainly doesn’t like to receive it. And lately, he’s even blocking people for doing it. Here is the (growing) list of noteworthy people who have been #BlockedByTrump on his favorite social media platform.
Chrissy Teigen
After years of trolling him, this model finally got #BlockedByTrump in July 2017. Apparently, what broke POTUS’ back wasn’t being called a “twat;” it was being told, “lol no one likes you.”
Also Read: Chrissy Teigen Says Trump Blocked Her on Twitter ‘After 9 Years of Hating’ Him Getty Images
Stephen King The horror novelist and frequent Trump critic alerted fans in June 2017 that he had beed blocked by POTUS. Fortunately, King won’t have to miss out: “Harry Potter” author J. K. Rowling offered to DM Trump tweets directly to him.
“Morning Joe” hosts Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski President Trump didn’t explicitly block Scarborough and Brzezinski, but he did unfollow them. The “Morning Joe” duo are politically conservative, but emerged as vocal Trump critics in late 2016. MSNBC
Bess Kalb Trump blocked the “Jimmy Kimmel Live” writer after she hurled a few jokes at him. Afterward, Kalb tweeted that she was mortified yet unsurprised “that the leader of the free world could be so wounded by the gentle ribbing of a comedy writer.” She also called Trump a “snowflake.”
Also Read: Jimmy Kimmel Writer Bess Kalb Mocks ‘Snowflake’ Trump for Blocking Her on Twitter Twitter
VoteVets Trump blocked the progressive veterans advocacy group after it harshly criticized his Muslim travel ban and his potential links with Russia. But VoteVets was unfazed, later tweeting, “The Commander in Chief can block @VoteVets, the voice of 500k military veterans and families, but we will NOT be silenced.” Twitter
Holly O’Reilly The musician/activist was probably #BlockedByTrump after tweeting a photo of him and an all-black-clad Melania with the caption, “Dress for the job you want. #widow,” or calling him a “bloody idiot.” O’Reilly claims Trump violated her constitutional rights by blocking her, and after it happened, told Time, “It’s like FDR took my radio away.” Twitter
Andy Signore The Emmy-nominated writer was incensed after Trump took London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s words out of context, then claimed Khan didn’t care about the victims of the London terror attacks. So Signore slammed Trump on Twitter – and was blocked in return. Twitter
John Niven The “Kill Your Friends” author is a #BlockedByTrump O. G; Trump blocked him sometime around November 9,2016. Niven turned a screenshot of the block notification into a badge of honor, tweeting “I’m blocked on Twitter by the President of the United States. Strange days.” Twitter
Jimmy Smagula This actor was #BlockedByTrump, but not by first daughter Ivanka, a fact he used to his advantage after she tweeted a widely-mocked tribute to “my LGBT friends” at the start of Pride Month. “TELL YOUR A****** FATHER AND DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT” he said on June 2. IMDb Previous Slide Next Slide
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The president has been increasingly busy curating who, and who cannot see him on his favorite social media platform
While Donald Trump likes to dole out criticism on Twitter, he certainly doesn’t like to receive it.
