Twitter reinstates Senator Daines’ account after chasing photo
Musk, the billionaire owner of Tesla, has fashioned himself into a supporter of the First Amendment, reinstating banned accounts en masse for violent threats, harassment and misinformation shortly after his takeover of Twitter as CEO while banning journalists , including Washington Post tech reporter Drew Harwell.
“The initial profile picture ban of my wife and I after a successful antelope hunt in Montana was disappointing given that it is no different from the photos Montanese share every day on social media” , Daines said. “It’s our way of life in Montana and we’re proud of it. I’m glad Elon Musk recognizes that.
When Twitter suspended Daines’ account, it tied in on its policy that prohibits posts “that depict excessively graphic or gruesome content related to death” or “the torture or murder of animals.” After the suspension, conservatives on Twitter denounced the decision, calling it censorship and rallying around the hashtag #FreeSteveDaines. In response to the news, Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Mike Rounds (SD) and Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Iowa), released their own hunting photos showing dead animals.
Unlike other social media CEOs, Musk hasn’t shunned politics, but instead appealed to Republicans, choosing to overturn former President Donald Trump’s ban and encouraging independents to vote Republican. .
It’s unclear why Twitter reversed its stance on Daines. After Musk took over the company, Twitter gutted its press team. Twitter did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Post.
Washington
