Twitter said on Friday blocking world leaders like President Trump “would hide important information people should be able to see and debate”
Don’t hold your breath waiting for Twitter to ban President Trump.
The company explained in a Friday blog post why it won’t be blocking the commander-in-chief from its platform, without mentioning Trump by name.
“Blocking a world leader from Twitter or removing their controversial Tweets, would hide important information people should be able to see and debate,” said Twitter . “It would also not silence that leader, but it would certainly hamper necessary discussion around their words and actions.”
Also Read: Trump Disses ‘Sloppy Steve’ Bannon and for Once, America Unites in Agreement With Him
Trump detractors increasingly called for the social platform to block the president earlier this week, after he 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!”
North Korean Leader Kim Jong Un just stated that the “Nuclear Button is on his desk at all times.” Will someone from his depleted and food starved regime please inform him that I too have a Nuclear Button, but it is a much bigger & more powerful one than his, and my Button works!
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) January 3,2018
Trump’s grilling was OK, according to Twitter, because “elected world leaders play a critical role” in shaping conversation.
“We review Tweets by leaders within the political context that defines them, and enforce our rules accordingly,” added Twitter. “No one person’s account drives Twitter’s growth, or influences these decisions. We work hard to remain unbiased with the public interest in mind.”
With that in mind, Trump has free reign to continue harping on his enemies on the social media platform, illustrated by his “Sloppy” Steve Bannon tweet on Friday.
Here’s Everyone Donald Trump Insulted on Twitter in 2017 (Photos)
From fellow politicians to Oscar winners and musicians, President Donald Trump casts a wide net in his internet insultery. Getty Images
Rahm Emanuel
On Jan. 2, Trump tweeted, “Chicago murder rate is record setting – 4,331 shooting victims with 762 murders in 2016. If Mayor can’t do it he must ask for Federal help!” The swipe at Emanuel allowed Trump to take a shot both at an elected Democratic Mayor, and his predecessor (for whom Rahm served as Chief of Staff.) hoklife.com
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer
On May 9, Trump tweeted, “Cryin’ Chuck Schumer stated recently, “I do not have confidence in him (James Comey) any longer.” Then acts so indignant. #draintheswamp”
The Senate Minority leader has become a frequent critic of — and thus a frequent target for — Trump Office of Sen. Schumer
Arnold Schwarzenegger
On Feb. 3, Trump tweeted, “Yes, Arnold Schwarzenegger did a really bad job as Governor of California and even worse on the Apprentice…but at least he tried hard! The terminator has had some tough words for Trump and so the president hit back where it hurts — Schwarzenegger’s ratings for “The Apprentice” (which he briefly hosted). Getty Images
Meryl Streep
On Jan. 9, Trump tweeted, “Meryl Streep, one of the most over-rated actresses in Hollywood, doesn’t know me but attacked last night at the Golden Globes.
Streep had some choice words for Trump during her speech at the Golden Globes and the president noticed. NBC
Rep. John Lewis
On Jan. 14, Trump tweeted, “Congressman John Lewis should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart…”
The Congressman vowed to boycott Trump’s inauguration, infuriating the newly elected president. Getty Images
Chelsea Manning
On Jan. 26, Trump tweeted, “Ungrateful TRAITOR Chelsea Manning, who should never have been released from prison, is now calling President Obama a weak leader. Terrible!”
Trump, it seems, was not a fan of President Obama’s decision to commute Manning’s sentence. United States Army
Sen. Richard Blumenthal
On Feb. 9, Trump tweeted, “Sen. Richard Blumenthal, who never fought in Vietnam when he said for years he had (major lie), now misrepresents what Judge Gorsuch told him?”
Blumenthal is a near constant presence on MSNBC criticizing Trump — so this counterpunch was pretty much inevitable. Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Mark Cuban
On Feb. 12, Trump tweeted, “I know Mark Cuban well. He backed me big-time but I wasn’t interested in taking all of his calls. He’s not smart enough to run for president!” Cuban, a fellow billionaire and Hillary Clinton ally has made a point of getting under Trump’s skin throughout 2017. Getty Images
DNC Chairman Thomas Perez
On Feb. 25, Trump tweeted, “Congratulations to Thomas Perez, who has just been named Chairman of the DNC. I could not be happier for him, or for the Republican Party!
Nothing personal here, just a bit of trolling Getty Images
Barack Obama
On March 4, Trump tweeted:
“How low has President Obama gone to tapp my phones during the very sacred election process. This is Nixon/Watergate. Bad (or sick) guy!”
Trump went easier on his predecessor overall in 2017 — but he didn’t’ entirely forget about him. YouTube
NBC News Reporter David Kay Johnston
On March 15, Trump tweeted,
“Does anybody really believe that a reporter, who nobody ever heard of, “went to his mailbox” and found my tax returns? @NBCNews FAKE NEWS!”
Johnston — who got a rare subtweet from Trump — appeared on MSNBC with Rachel Maddow to discuss a portion of the president’s 2005 tax return. NBC News
Snoop Dogg
On March 15, Trump tweeted, “Can you imagine what the outcry would be if @SnoopDogg, failing career and all, had aimed and fired the gun at President Obama? Jail time!” The President apparently didn’t care for a music video Snoop made in which the rapper seemingly shoots a fake Donald Trump. Getty Images
Freedom Caucus Representatives
On March 30, Trump tweeted, “If @RepMarkMeadows, @Jim_Jordan and @Raul_Labrador would get on board we would have both great healthcare and massive tax cuts & reform.”
As negotiations over the GOP effort to repeal Obamacare dragged on, Trump often trained his ire at the recalcitrant Republican Freedom Caucus. Getty Images
Chuck Todd
On April 1, Trump tweeted, “When will Sleepy Eyes Chuck Todd and @NBCNews start talking about the Obama SURVEILLANCE SCANDAL and stop with the Fake Trump/Russia story?”
Todd told TheWrap he has no idea why Trump calls him Sleepy Eyes and says the president doesn’t remember either. NBC
Jon Ossoff
On April 18, Trump tweeted, “Democrat Jon Ossoff would be a disaster in Congress. VERY weak on crime and illegal immigration, bad for jobs and wants higher taxes. Say NO.”
Trump campaigned hard for Ossoff’s rival in Georgia’s special congressional election, Republican Karen Handel (she won). Getty Images
James Comey
On May 10, Trump tweeted, “James Comey will be replaced by someone who will do a far better job, bringing back the spirit and prestige of the FBI.”
Trump fired FBI Director James Comey in May and has been angry at him ever since. Getty Images
Kathy Griffin
On May 31, Trump tweeted, “Kathy Griffin should be ashamed of herself. My children, especially my 11 year old son, Barron, are having a hard time with this. Sick!”
Griffin took enormous incoming fire after a photo of her holding a model of Donald Trump’s severed head went viral for all the wrong reasons. Getty Images
“Crooked” Hillary Clinton
Trump has mocked Hillary plenty of times, but recently on November 18, Trump tweeted, “Crooked Hillary Clinton is the worst (and biggest) loser of all time. She just can’t stop, which is so good for the Republican Party. Hillary, get on with your life and give it another try in three years!” Not much explanation needed here. Trump bested “Crooked” Hillary in 2016 and seems intent on reminding us for ever and ever and ever. Getty Images
Sadiq Khan
On June 5, Trump tweeted, “Pathetic excuse by London Mayor Sadiq Khan who had to think fast on his “no reason to be alarmed” statement. MSM is working hard to sell it!”
When terrorism strikes London, the city’s Muslim mayor, Sadiq Khan, often finds himself in Trump’s crosshairs. Getty Images
Loretta Lynch
On June 13, Trump tweeted,
“A. G. Lynch made law enforcement decisions for political purposes…gave Hillary Clinton a free pass and protection. Totally illegal!” Lynch took a widely-criticized social meeting with Bill Clinton at an airport during the 2016 campaign and Trump has been complaining about it ever since. Getty Images
Joe Scarborough and Mika “Bleeding Face” Brzezinski
On June 29, Trump tweeted,
“I heard poorly rated @Morning_Joe speaks badly of me (don’t watch anymore). Then how come low I. Q. Crazy Mika, along with Psycho Joe, came o Mar-a-Lago 3 nights in a row around New Year’s Eve, and insisted on joining me. She was bleeding badly from a face-lift. I said no!” Widely considered one of Trump’s nastiest burns, the president was likely incensed by something the pair said on “Morning Joe.” MSNBC
Jeff Sessions
On July 25, Trump tweeted, “Attorney General Jeff Sessions has taken a VERY weak position on Hillary Clinton crimes (where are E-mails & DNC server) & Intel leakers!”
Trump went through a rough patch with his Attorney General and has long been cranky about Session’s decision to recuse himself from the Russia probe. Getty Images
Andrew McCabe
On July 25, Trump tweeted,
“Problem is that the acting head of the FBI & the person in charge of the Hillary investigation, Andrew McCabe, got $700,000 from H for wife!” Donations made to Hillary Clinton by the wife of the FBI’s then acting chief didn’t sit well with Trump. Alex Wong/Getty Images
Sen. Lisa Murkowski
On July 26, Trump tweeted.
“Senator @lisamurkowski of the Great State of Alaska really let the Republicans, and our country, down yesterday. Too bad!”
Murkowski helped kill Trump’s dream to repeal Obamacare and the president wanted to let her know how upset he was. But don’t worry — she voted in favor of the tax cut bill just a few months later. Getty Images
Sen. Mitch McConnell
On August 24, Trump tweeted,
“The only problem I have with Mitch McConnell is that, after hearing Repeal & Replace for 7 years, he failed! That should NEVER have happened!” Getty Images
Ken Frazier
On August 14, Trump tweeted
“Now that Ken Frazier of Merck Pharma has resigned from President’s Manufacturing Council,he will have more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!” Getty Images
Sen. Lindsey Graham
On August 17, Trump tweeted: “Publicity seeking Lindsey Graham falsely stated that I said there is moral equivalency between the KKK, neo-Nazis & white supremacists.
