Why Twitter will never ban Donald Trump

Romaine Raffington
Aug 22, 2017 · 6 min read

A small group of Twitter users are attempting to get Donald Trump ban from Twitter for apparently violating their terms and service with some his tweets.

Numerous Twitter users have classified Donald Trump as a bully for his mean-spirited, and aggressive tweets. Tweets that have attacked media personalities, organizations and other political figures. Tweets that constantly grab headlines, and that are discussed frequently throughout the media.

Many have accused Donald Trump of violating Twitters term of service with some of his tweets, and that he should be banned. Many have classified the president’s tweets as a form of harassment to his intended “targets”.

A behavior that Twitter has have quite a tough time dealing with throughout their history. A behavior that would normally get one’s account suspended if you’re not the president of the United States that is.

Donald Trump is now one of the most important individuals in American politics.

A man who now commands one of the most powerful armies around the world. An army with an annual budget of over 600 billion dollars, and one of the largest reaching global presences in history.

For the next 4 years Donald Trump has a major impact on the laws, and policies created in the United States.

Donald Trump was a very outspoken businessman and is now a very outspoken president. A man who constantly likes to share his opinions and “knowledge” to the world via a cute little blue bird.

Donald Trump’s platform of choice is Twitter, you know that one social media company that is not owned by Facebook or Google.

Let’s cut to the chase, Twitter will never ban Donald Trump. And, if the reasons weren’t obvious, here they are.

One of Twitter’s Main Attractions

How awesome would it be if the president of the United States used your service and loved it? Super awesome. Twitter has something Facebook or Google doesn’t have, the president of the United States as an active user.

A social media account the president manages himself with very few input from others. A social media account that is being used almost every single day.

Donald Trump frequent use of Twitter throughout his presidency is the best thing to happen to Twitter in a long time. Trump is putting Twitter at the forefront of American politics with his tweets.

Millions of Americans can receive information from the president himself at any time. Real, unfiltered, and blunt updates in 140 characters or less from one of the most powerful men in the world. A man who has quite a bit to say.

Twitter has had it rough for the past several years with a mixture of weak financial quarters, management shake-ups, and low stock prices.

Twitter finally has something good going for it. Tweeting Trump. Donald Trump constant presence on the social media platform has increased engagement, mentions, and overall traffic.

Over the last several months Donald Trump tweets have dominated national headlines and media reports on a daily basis. Millions flock to Donald Trump’s Twitter account daily to see what the president has on his mind, or who’s on the chopping block.

Donald Trump has made Twitter an important platform in his presidency for addressing the nation, his fans and most importantly his critics. A decision that has benefited Twitter as a company.

Donald trump tweets are shared, and discussed by newspapers, media website, and even on television shows. If you didn’t know what Twitter was, you do now thanks to the constant media coverage of the president and his tweets.

Tweet, Tweet, Tweet

Tweeting is a way of life for the new president, and “tweet” is now a very important word when it comes to the Donald Trump presidency. Previous presidents also had Twitter accounts, but none were as active, or as outspoken as Donald Trump.

Former presidential twitter accounts were most likely not maintained and operated by the presidents themselves, but by a third party.

Donald Trump is bringing a lot of attention to Twitter, attention that Twitter as a platform can capitalize on for further growth in the future. More people are checking Twitter, sharing tweets and engaging in the presidential conversation.

The more active and engaged users are on their social media platform, the more attractive Twitter become to advertisers. More advertisers, more revenue. More revenue growth will often lead to higher stock prices.

Donald Trump might not be the savior of Twitter, but he is helping. Donald Trump is helping Twitter become a household name one tweet at a time, while making them billions.

It’s illegal

Twitter has nothing to gain from blocking Donald Trump, and quite a bit to lose. Along with extreme black-lash they would face, Twitter could face quite a bit of legal trouble.

Once an account is banned from Twitter, that account and its content are essentially deleted from public viewing. As Donald Trump tweets are now considered “presidential”, this in turn would be violating the presidential record act of 1978.

An act where documents such as statements, quotes, and other material from the president and his administration are recorded for an official record. Donald Trump’s tweet are also included into these records.

The president, and the executive office are already being sued for the deletion of tweets, as many consider this to be a violation of the presidential record act of 1978.

Twitter would be breaking the law by suspending Donald Trump’s account, and denying the public access to his tweets. One could speculate similar lawsuits would follow the company as well.

He’s the President of the United States

Which American company is going to willingly ban the president of the United States from their platform? One of the most powerful men in the world, who openly enjoy using their platform?

A world leader, your president, and a very active user? Not many. The amount of back-lash that company would face would be staggering, that company might even be considered “un-American”.

Banning the leader of the free world from your platform wouldn’t be a smart business move on any front.

Too much to lose

Twitter has too much to lose, and almost nothing to gain from banning the president. One of the first thing to take a hit would be Twitter stock prices. Donald Trump tweets in the past have affected the shares of companies he has mention in his tweets, some of these companies in a negative way.

Twitter stock prices now are currently at one of the lowest points it has ever been in the company’s history. Banning Trump won’t help their cause. A move like this would cost Twitter billions, with a capital “B”.

The amount of protest and debates this would cause throughout the country won’t benefit Twitter in any way.

One of those debates would be about our first amendment right, and a discussion about this could get really complicated for everyone involve.

Donald strikes back

Donald Trump isn’t one to take a hit, and turn the other cheek. We can all be sure Trump would strike back. Someway, somehow. As history has showcased, Trump isn’t one to hold his tongue.

This time Donald wouldn’t have a twitter account to strike back with, so he would have to find other means. Trump has the money and power to hit hard. A hit twitter would not want to feel.

Fin

Donald Tweeting Trump is here to stay, whether any one likes it or not. Donald Trump is a flower in the rough for Twitter.

A flower they want to see grow with their platform, and continue to make them a large sum of money.

Designer. Writer. Human.

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Romaine Raffington

Written by

Designer. Writer. Human. https://www.rowmaine.com

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