Q&A: Will Twitter, Facebook crack down on Trump?

OAKLAND, Calif. — (AP) — For the past four years, President Donald Trump has enjoyed the special status of a world leader on Twitter and Facebook, even as he used his perch atop the social media pyramid to peddle misinformation and hurl abuse at his critics. While regular users could have faced being suspended or even booted from the platforms, Trump’s misleading proclamations and personal attacks have thus far only garnered warning labels. But could his loose leash on the platforms be yanked on Jan. 20 when his successor, Joe Biden, is inaugurated? Here are some questions and answers about what the companies have done — and not done — why Twitter’s response has been stronger than Facebook’s and what, if anything we might see from the platforms in the coming weeks and months, once their most high-profile user is no longer in the White House. WHY ARE SO MANY OF TRUMP’S TWEETS LABELED? Ever since he lost his reelection bid, Trump has been spreading falsehoods about purported election fraud and otherwise trying to delegitimize Biden’s win. For the most part,  » Read More