Trump laments social media ‘getting worse’ for conservatives, warns he’ll ‘monitor the censorship’

President Trump on Friday lamented social media “getting worse” for conservatives, writing that he was “continuing to monitor” alleged censorship on online platforms.

“I am continuing to monitor the censorship of AMERICAN CITIZENS on social media platforms. This is the United States of America — and we have what’s known as FREEDOM OF SPEECH! We are monitoring and watching, closely!!” Trump tweeted Friday.

“The wonderful Diamond and Silk have been treated so horribly by Facebook,” he added in a second tweet, referencing the conservative vloggers. “They work so hard and what has been done to them is very sad – and we’re looking into. It’s getting worse and worse for Conservatives on social media!”

I am continuing to monitor the censorship of AMERICAN CITIZENS on social media platforms. This is the United States of America — and we have what’s known as FREEDOM OF SPEECH! We are monitoring and watching, closely!!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 3, 2019

The wonderful Diamond and Silk have been treated so horribly by Facebook. They work so hard and what has been done to them is very sad – and we’re looking into. It’s getting worse and worse for Conservatives on social media!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 3, 2019

So surprised to see Conservative thinkers like James Woods banned from Twitter, and Paul Watson banned from Facebook! https://t.co/eHX3Z5CMXb

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) May 3, 2019

{mosads}Trump’s comments came one day after Facebook announced that it had permanently banned a host of prominent figures it described as “dangerous” from its platform.

Facebook banned right-wing commentator and former Breitbart News editor Milo Yiannopoulos, conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan and neo-Nazi Paul Nehlen, who previously ran for the House in Wisconsin. The platform also removed far-right activist Laura Loomer and conservative YouTuber Paul Joseph Watson as it continues to crack down on hate speech on its platform.

“We’ve always banned individuals or organizations that promote or engage in violence and hate, regardless of ideology,” a Facebook spokesperson said in a statement. “The process for evaluating potential violators is extensive and it is what led us to our decision to remove these accounts today.”

Facebook said it will not take any action against users who praise the banned figures, but said it will remove pages, groups and events tied to the banned individuals, such as a speaking event featuring those who have been banned.

Conservatives have accused a number of tech companies in recent months of being biased against them. A growing number of GOP lawmakers, including Texas Sen. Ted Cruz, Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.), Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.) have weighed government action to curb big tech’s power.

But conservative activists who spoke to The Hill last month argued that such action goes against the GOP’s support for free markets and speech.

The series of bans comes as civil rights groups ramp up their calls for Facebook and other social media sites to remove hateful and extremist speech from their platforms.