Twitter has reinstated some notable accounts, such as those of Donald Trump and Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. Reuters
Twitter has reinstated some notable accounts, such as those of Donald Trump and Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. Reuters
Twitter has reinstated some notable accounts, such as those of Donald Trump and Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. Reuters
Twitter has reinstated some notable accounts, such as those of Donald Trump and Ye, formerly known as Kanye West. Reuters

Donald Trump quiet on Twitter after account reinstated


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Two days after Twitter chief executive Elon Musk reinstated Donald Trump's Twitter account, the former US president — who tweeted throughout his tenure in office — remained silent on Monday.

Several high-profile accounts such as that of Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, were also restored.

Posting from an iPhone on Sunday, the music artist first tested that he was unblocked before posting a “Shalom" reference, after his earlier suspension for an anti-Semitic tweet.

His account had been temporarily suspended and restored at the end of last month, which Mr Musk said was not his decision.

Mr Musk responded to Ye’s initial message by tweeting: “Don’t kill what ye hate, Save what ye love.”

The billionaire Twitter owner’s courtship of the network’s controversial figures — besides himself — threatens to further alienate advertisers, who have been wary about associating their brands with the service in recent times.

Twitter’s new leader, who is also chief executive of Tesla and SpaceX, spent the weekend polling his followers on the platform over whether to restore Mr Trump, who was permanently suspended for inciteful tweets about the January 6 insurrection at the US Capitol.

Fifty-two per cent responded in the affirmative and Mr Trump is now clear to return — although he has said he will stick to his own social network, Truth Social.

Previously, Mr Musk had said Twitter would establish new procedures and a “content moderation council” before making decisions to restore suspended accounts.

“The people have spoken. Trump will be reinstated. Vox Populi, Vox Dei,” Mr Musk tweeted, using a Latin phrase meaning 'the voice of the people, the voice of God'.

Mr Musk seems bent on emphasising it was the choice of the people, regardless of the fact that internet polls can be easily manipulated with the use of bots and fake accounts.

Mr Trump's agreement with Truth Social includes an obligation to give the platform a six-hour exclusive on any post.

But he is free to post "political messaging, political fund-raising or get-out-the-vote efforts" on any site, at any time, according to an SEC filing in May.

Shortly after the poll, Mr Trump’s account, which had earlier appeared as suspended, reappeared on the platform complete with his former tweets, more than 59,000 of them.

On Saturday, during a video speech to a Republican Jewish group meeting in Las Vegas, he said he was aware of Mr Musk’s poll but that he saw "a lot of problems at Twitter".

“It may make it, it may not make it,” he added, apparently referring to Twitter’s recent internal upheavals.

One account Mr Musk pledged never to reinstate was that of far-right conspiracy theorist Alex Jones, who has been fined more than $1 billion for false and distressing claims that the 2012 Sandy Hook primary school shooting had been faked.

"My firstborn child died in my arms. I felt his last heartbeat," Mr Musk wrote, referring to the loss of his 10-week-old son through sudden infant death syndrome in 2002.

"I have no mercy for anyone who would use the deaths of children for gain, politics or fame."

News agencies contributed to this report

A look at former president Donald Trump's Truth Social feed - in pictures

  • On Truth Social, a social media platform founded by Donald Trump after he was banned from Twitter, conversation is often limited to sycophantic memes and conspiratorial memes. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    On Truth Social, a social media platform founded by Donald Trump after he was banned from Twitter, conversation is often limited to sycophantic memes and conspiratorial memes. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Almost all of Mr Trump's followers are die-hard supporters and criticism of the former president is rare. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Almost all of Mr Trump's followers are die-hard supporters and criticism of the former president is rare. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Mr Trump's signature line on 'The Apprentice' was: 'You're Fired!' Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Mr Trump's signature line on 'The Apprentice' was: 'You're Fired!' Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Many memes lionise the former president. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Many memes lionise the former president. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Mr Trump hopes to get a second term in office in 2024. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Mr Trump hopes to get a second term in office in 2024. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • A not-true ReTruth: Trump-backed, election-denying candidate Kari Lake lost to Democrat Katie Dobbs in the Arizona governor race. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    A not-true ReTruth: Trump-backed, election-denying candidate Kari Lake lost to Democrat Katie Dobbs in the Arizona governor race. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Mr Trump suggests voter fraud in the Arizona governor race. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Mr Trump suggests voter fraud in the Arizona governor race. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Mr Trump attacks Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who may be well positioned to duel the former president in the 2024 White House race. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Mr Trump attacks Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who may be well positioned to duel the former president in the 2024 White House race. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Many Maga Republicans miss Mr Trump. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Many Maga Republicans miss Mr Trump. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Mr Trump attacks mail-in ballots that allow millions of Americans who are unable to vote on election day to participate. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Mr Trump attacks mail-in ballots that allow millions of Americans who are unable to vote on election day to participate. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Some of the Trump supporters that stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, used American flags to attack police officers. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Some of the Trump supporters that stormed the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, used American flags to attack police officers. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Supporters credit Mr Trump with not starting any new wars. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Supporters credit Mr Trump with not starting any new wars. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • How many moves in a game of chess? Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    How many moves in a game of chess? Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Another ReTruth. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Another ReTruth. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • The 'Greatest Of All Time'? That remains to be seen. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    The 'Greatest Of All Time'? That remains to be seen. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Mr Trump was expected to announce a new run for the White House on November 15. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Mr Trump was expected to announce a new run for the White House on November 15. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Mr Trump blamed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for Republicans' poor showing in the midterm elections. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Mr Trump blamed Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell for Republicans' poor showing in the midterm elections. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Mr Trump still attracts fierce loyalty from his 'Maga' supporters. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Mr Trump still attracts fierce loyalty from his 'Maga' supporters. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Mr Trump suggests he would perform better than Ron DeSantis. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Mr Trump suggests he would perform better than Ron DeSantis. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • A variation on the election-denying theme. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    A variation on the election-denying theme. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Mr Trump has continued to make his baseless claims of election fraud in races he or his fellow Republicans lost. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Mr Trump has continued to make his baseless claims of election fraud in races he or his fellow Republicans lost. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Another ReTruth. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Another ReTruth. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Mr Trump returns to his debunked claims of widespread election fraud. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Mr Trump returns to his debunked claims of widespread election fraud. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Another teaser for his November 15 announcement. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Another teaser for his November 15 announcement. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Mr Trump 'ReTruths' a message from a follower. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Mr Trump 'ReTruths' a message from a follower. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • The 'legend' will be 78 at the 2024 election, the same age Joe Biden was when he got elected. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    The 'legend' will be 78 at the 2024 election, the same age Joe Biden was when he got elected. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Mr Trump is expected to announce he will run again for president in 2024. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Mr Trump is expected to announce he will run again for president in 2024. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Mr Trump teases his announcement on November 15. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
    Mr Trump teases his announcement on November 15. Photo: Screengrab from Truth Social
  • Truth Social is only available in the US, Canada and Brazil. Reuters
    Truth Social is only available in the US, Canada and Brazil. Reuters
Updated: November 21, 2022, 10:51 PM