Trump v Facebook: Ex-president rages at ban as White House says tech has responsibility to public
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The Facebook Oversight Board has upheld the platform’s decision to ban Donald Trump for posts related to the attack on the US Capitol in January by his supporters.
An independent group that reviews the company’s most complex issues, the oversight panel also found that the platform was wrong to ban Mr Trump “indefinitely”, and insists that the company “apply and justify a defined penalty” – giving it six months to review its initial decision.
Mr Trump has reacted to the news with fury, demanding that “these corrupt social media companies must pay a political price”.
For its part, the White House says that social media companies have a responsibility to combat the spread of misinformation.
“The president’s view is that the major platforms have a responsibility related to the health and safety of all Americans to stop amplifying untrustworthy content, misinformation, disinformation – especially related to Covid-19, vaccines and elections,” press secretary Jen Psaki said on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Liz Cheney’s days in the House GOP leadership look to be numbered, with her immediate senior Steve Scalise officially coming out against her.
Mr Trump released another statement attacking Ms Cheney as throwing his support behind Elise Stefanik as the new party conference chair.
- Facebook is investigating two Trump posts - there are thousands of others they could have banned him over
- Who is on the Facebook oversight board and who have they banned?
- What did Trump post to get himself banned from Facebook and will he be reinstated?
- ‘He’s launched ... a blog’: Donald Trump mocked for new ‘communications platform’
Biden attacks GOP opposition and Trump tax cuts
Joe Biden has attacked GOP opposition and Trump tax cuts as he said that Republicans are in the midst of a “mini-revolution”.
Graeme Massie reports.
Biden lays into GOP opposition and Trump tax cuts as he says Republicans in midst of ‘mini-revolution’
Joe Biden has attacked GOP opposition and Trump tax cuts as he said that Republicans are in the midst of a “mini-revolution.”
Pharma stocks drop on US Covid vaccine IP news
Stocks in major pharmaceutical companies fell sharply on news that the US would back the proposal to waive intellectual property protection on Covid-19 vaccines.
Shares in major pharma companies fall in wake of US decision on vaccine IP
Shares in major pharmaceutical companies fell sharply on the news that the US supports waiving intellectual patent protection for Covid-19 vaccines.
Harris to visit Mexico and Guatemala
Kamala Harris has told CBS News that she will visit Mexico and Guatemala on 7-8 June.
That’s all for our rolling coverage of events in Washington and beyond for today.
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