— so the constant whining about it is just, you know, whining.

The Trump Exception

Quit quoting the Twitter Rules. You’re missing the only one that counts: the public interest exception.

“

Twitter generally actions Tweets that violate our rules. However, we recognize that sometimes it may be in the public interest to allow people to view Tweets that would otherwise be taken down. We consider content to be in the public interest if it directly contributes to understanding or discussion of a matter of public concern. 

At present, we limit exceptions to one critical type of public-interest content—Tweets from elected and government officials—given the significant public interest in knowing and being able to discuss their actions and statements.

As a result, in rare instances, we may choose to leave up a Tweet from an elected or government official that would otherwise be taken down. 

”

If that’s not enough for you they defog it in

Criteria For Exceptions —

Criteria for exceptions

1. The Tweet violates one or more Twitter Rules;
2. The Tweet was posted by a verified account;
3. The account has more than 100,000 followers; and, 

4. The account represents a current or potential member of a local, state, national, or supra-national governmental or legislative body:

   1. Current holders of an elected or appointed leadership position in a governmental or legislative body, OR
   2. Candidates or nominees for political office.

What about harm?

(They don’t much care. I’m telling you, give up.)

How we balance risk of harm vs. the public interest 

The public interest exception does not mean that any eligible public official can Tweet whatever they want, even if it violates the Twitter Rules. When deciding whether to remove a Tweet or place it behind a notice, we weigh the potential risk and severity of harm against the public-interest value of the Tweet. Where the risk of harm is higher and/or more severe, we are less likely to make an exception. We are more likely to apply the notice to a violative Tweet if:

• The Tweet is directed at other government or elected officials or institutions as part of a public debate or call to protest;

• There is a larger point to the Tweet that is relevant to the author or target’s public role;

• The Tweet adds significant context to ongoing geopolitical events or issues; or

• There is significant documentary or accountability value in preserving the content as a matter of public record.

So please, please, pleeeeze, shut the fuck up.

Thank you. 💋