Politics
Newt Gingrich locked out of Twitter for criticizing Biden immigration policy

Former Speaker of the United States House of Representatives Newt Gingrich was locked out of his Twitter account for over a week after he published a tweet that criticized the Biden administration’s approach to the southern border and raised concern over immigrants crossing the border illegally who may be infected with COVID-19.
“If there is a covid surge in Texas the fault will not be Governor [Greg] Abbott’s common sense reforms. The greatest threat of a covid surge comes from Biden’s untested illegal immigrants pouring across the border. We have no way of knowing how many of them are bringing covid with them,” Gingrich tweeted on March 3.
Twitter promptly sent Gingrich a message explaining that his account was locked for “violating rules against hateful conduct.”
In an opinion piece published in The Washington Times, Gingrich defended his tweet saying that he was reacting to a recent story that said federal officials had no way of testing people who are picked up by U.S. Customs and Border Patrol — or forcing them to quarantine.
In order to unlock his account, Gingrich was required to delete his tweet or go through an appeals process. Gingrich assumed he received this message by accident.
“Thinking this must have been an error somehow generated by the company’s algorithm, we sent Twitter a message pointing out that my tweet didn’t “promote violence against, threaten, or harass” anyone. We asked that my account be released,” Gingrich said.
Twitter reiterated to Gingrich that his tweet had broken their rules of conduct.
“I fail to see how drawing attention to the public health dangers of massive illegal immigration during a pandemic can be censored. So, to unlock my account, I deleted the tweet this morning,” Gingrich wrote.
“There was no reason to censor my tweet or lock my account,” Gingrich continued. “Nothing in the flagged tweet “promotes violence against, threatens, or harasses” anyone. It is simply pointing out the fact that those entering the country illegally are not tested for COVID-19 and could be a health risk.”
In an open letter to Twitter officials, Gingrich posed the following questions:
Do the Twitter censors acknowledge that we are in a pandemic?
Do the Twitter censors acknowledge that testing is a key tool in fighting the pandemic?
Do the Twitter censors acknowledge that, unlike people entering the country legally, people who come into the United States illegally are not tested for COVID-19?
Do the Twitter censors acknowledge that, unlike U.S. citizens, people who come into the country illegally are unlikely to voluntarily get tested because they are trying to keep a low profile?
If so, how exactly do they justify censoring discussion of the threat to public health posed by people coming into the U.S. illegally without being tested?
Gingrich noted that the vast majority of those being silenced online are conservatives.
“This entire experience has made it even more clear to me that Twitter is only interested in censoring conservatives,” Gingrich said.
“I hope Twitter will stop its aggressive and biased censorship, and return to the spirit and ideals of free speech which allowed it to prosper in the first place.”
Follow Annaliese Levy on Twitter @AnnalieseLevy

Elections
Eric Clapton Raises $2.2 Million for Robert F. Kennedy, Jr.’s Presidential Campaign

Rock and Roll and Blues legend Eric Clapton took center stage at a recent campaign fundraiser, raising an impressive $2.2 million for Democrat presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Clapton’s electrifying performance at a private concert in Los Angeles underscored his support for Kennedy’s primary campaign against President Biden, making headlines across the nation.
The event, which featured Clapton’s iconic guitar prowess and took place against the backdrop of a prominent Kennedy 2024 banner, was a resounding success, according to a campaign press release. According to reports from Fox News, of the $2.2 million raised, $1 million directly benefited Kennedy’s campaign, while the remaining $1.2 million bolstered a political action committee supporting the Democrat’s bid for the presidency.
Attendees eager to support Kennedy’s campaign invested a cool $6,600 per ticket, as reported by the Daily Mail, to witness Clapton’s musical artistry and to lend their support to the candidate. Kennedy expressed his deep gratitude to Clapton for his role in the event, emphasizing the unifying power of music in today’s divided society.
“I am deeply grateful to Eric Clapton for bringing his musical artistry and rebellious spirit to my gathering in Los Angeles last night,” Kennedy remarked in the press release. He added, “I sometimes think that in our divided society, it is music rather than any kind of intellectual agreement that has the most potential to bring us together again. Eric sings from the depths of the human condition.”
Kennedy also credited artists like Clapton for invoking faith in the limitless power of human beings to overcome obstacles and unite the nation. The campaign event not only showcased Clapton’s performance but also included a private dinner attended by Kennedy, his wife Cheryl Hines, Stephen Stills of Crosby, Stills & Nash fame, and former Rep. Tulsi Gabbard, I-Hawaii.
However, not everyone in attendance aligned with Kennedy’s presidential aspirations. Stephen Stills, who was initially present at the fundraiser, made it clear afterward that his support remained firmly behind President Biden. According to the Daily Beast, Stills issued a statement through a spokesperson, affirming his allegiance to the incumbent president.
“I support President Biden,” Stills declared. “I was there as a guest to support Eric Clapton, who performed.”
The event served as a notable intersection of music, politics, and fundraising, underlining the influential role that artists and musicians can play in shaping the political landscape and contributing to presidential campaigns.
With Kennedy’s campaign coffers significantly bolstered by Clapton’s performance, the 2024 presidential race continues to garner attention and financial support from a diverse array of donors and influencers.
-
War on Drugs1 day ago
Kilo of fentanyl found on children’s mats at Bronx daycare, 4 children overdosed, 1 year old boy dies
-
China4 days ago
Electric Vehicle company with Chinese ties awarded $500 million of taxpayer money for 2nd U.S. plant
-
War on Drugs2 days ago
Children under 14 dying from fentanyl poisoning at ‘faster rate than any other age group’
-
Nation3 days ago
Florida Congressman Byron Donalds Considers Gubernatorial Run in 2026