Twitter Suspends Republican Senator’s Account Over Hunting Photo
Alexa Schwerha on February 7, 2023
Twitter suspended Republican Montana Sen. Steve Daines’ Twitter account because his profile photo showed him hunting with his wife, according to a screenshot of a Twitter message to Daines.
Daines’ account is “temporarily unavailable because it violates the Twitter Media Policy,” according to a disclaimer written in his biography. Daines’ profile picture violated Twitter’s “sensitive media policy” because it contained “graphic violence or adult content,” according to a screenshot posted by Axios reporter Josh Kraushaar.
The policy reads that users cannot “post media that is graphic or share violent or adult nudity and sexual behavior” in video or in profile or banner images. Daines profile photo depicted him and his wife posing with an animal while on a hunting trip.
Twitter reportedly told Daines to delete the photo.
The account was suspended, according to Twitter, because his profile pic showed him hunting with his wife. pic.twitter.com/YrpeoCf4gI
— Josh Kraushaar (@JoshKraushaar) February 7, 2023
“People use Twitter to show what’s happening in the world, often sharing images and videos as part of the conversation,” the policy reads. “Sometimes, this media can depict sensitive topics, including graphic content and adult nudity and sexual behavior. We recognize that some people may not want to be exposed to sensitive content, which is why we balance allowing people to share this type of media with helping people who want to avoid it to do so.”
Twitter defines “graphic content” as “any media that depicts death, violence, medical procedures, or serious physical injury in graphic detail.” Examples include crimes or accidents, fighting, abuse, bodily fluids and “mutilated animals.”
Daines’ tweets are currently hidden until the suspension is lifted.
“This is insane. Twitter should immediately reverse this suspension,” a National Republican Senatorial Committee spokesperson told CNN.
Sen. Steve Daines’ office says he was suspended from Twitter because of the below profile pic showing him and his wife hunting. Spox for NRSC: “This is insane. Twitter should immediately reverse this suspension.” pic.twitter.com/EeZsUcWaFQ
— Manu Raju (@mkraju) February 7, 2023
Twitter and Daines did not immediately respond to the Daily Caller News Foundation’s request for comment.
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