Social media companies placed warning labels on multiple posts by President Donald Trump that falsely claimed victory in the US election and promoted unsubstantiated allegations about the legitimate vote count.
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Companies differ in how they directly challenge false statements. Twitter Inc labeled the tweets as “misleading” and limited how they could be shared and viewed. Facebook Inc acted on more posts, but did not describe the information as misleading or limit how it could be shared or viewed.
Here’s a sample of how companies handled Trump’s posts starting on Election Night:
Wednesday 12:45 am ET – TRUMP: “Tonight I will make a statement. Big PROFIT! “
Facebook placed a tag under the post: “The votes are being counted. The winner of the 2020 US presidential election has not been projected. “
Twitter chose not to tag the tweet. A spokeswoman said it was unclear what Trump meant by “a great WIN.”
Wednesday 12:49 am ET – TRUMP: “We are in a BIG time, but they are trying to STEAL the elections. We will never let them do it. No votes can be cast after the polls close! “
Facebook placed a tag below the post: “Final results may be different from initial vote counts, as vote count will continue for days or weeks.”
Twitter hid the tweet, requiring the user to click to view it and limiting responses. Its tag read: “Some or all of the content shared in this Tweet is in dispute and could be misleading about an election or other civic process.”
Wednesday 1.21 am ET – TRUMP (on live video): “Frankly, we won this election … This is a huge fraud in our nation.”
Facebook placed a tag under the video: “The final results may be different from the initial vote counts, as the vote count will continue for days or weeks.”
Twitter chose not to tag the tweet, saying clips from a press conference did not violate its policy and noting that numerous press organizations posted the video.
Wednesday 10.04 a. M. ET . – TRUMP: “Last night I was leading, often solidly, in many key states, in almost every case controlled and controlled by the Democrats. Then one by one, they began to magically disappear as the surprise dumps were counted. VERY STRANGE, and the ‘pollsters’ were completely and historically wrong! “
Facebook placed a tag below the post: “Final results may be different from initial vote counts, as vote count will continue for days or weeks.”
Twitter hid the tweet, requiring the user to click to view it and limiting responses. Its tag read: “Some or all of the content shared in this Tweet is in dispute and could be misleading about an election or other civic process.”
Wednesday 10.17 am ET – TRUMP: “How is it that every time you count the vote-by-mail ballots they are so devastating in their percentage and destructive power?”
Facebook placed a tag under the post: “As expected, the election results will take longer this year. Millions of people in the US voted by mail, and mail-in ballots take longer to count. “
Twitter did not tag the tweet.
Wednesday 10.35 am ET – TRUMP: “WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT?” (Quote-tweet from the claim that questions the legitimacy of voting in Michigan)
Twitter hid the quoted tweet, requiring a user to click to view it and limiting responses, but did not tag Trump’s post.
The comment did not appear on Facebook.
Wednesday 11.55 am ET – TRUMP: “They’re finding Biden votes everywhere – in Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan. Too bad for our country! “
Twitter did not tag the tweet.
The comment did not appear on Facebook.
Wednesday 12.01pm ET – TRUMP: “They’re working hard to wipe out Pennsylvania’s 500,000 vote advantage as soon as possible. Likewise Michigan and others! “
Facebook placed a tag under the post: “Election officials follow strict rules when it comes to counting, handling and reporting ballots.”
Twitter hid the tweet, requiring the user to click to view it and limiting responses. Its tag read: “Some or all of the content shared in this Tweet is in dispute and could be misleading about an election or other civic process.”
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