Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL) Considers Filing FEC Complaint Against Twitter Shadowban

This week, it became widely known via liberal publications such as VICE, that many prominent Republicans, including Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL), are being “shadowbanned” by Twitter, and he's considering filing a Federal Elections Commission (FEC) complaint as a result.

“The evidence is piling up that I am being treated differently on Twitter than people on the political Left and I don’t like that because I enjoy the Twitter platform, I enjoy the engagement, I enjoy the candor,” Representative Gaetz said. “I would think that having won my election with 69 percent of the vote to serve in the Congress that the marketplace of ideas could accommodate my views.”

The infamously liberal social media platform is back in the news, beginning after VICE, a left-leaning publication, outed the Jack Dorsey-led company for their desire to silence Conservatives, right-leaning politicians, and supporters of President Trump simply based on their ideological differences; only to deny the allegations.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">A short thread addressing some issues folks are encountering as a result of our conversational health work, specifically the perception of “shadowbanning” based on content or ideology. It suffices to say we have a lot more work to do to earn people’s trust on how we work. <a href="https://t.co/MN97l7w7RF">https://t.co/MN97l7w7RF</a></p>&mdash; jack (@jack) <a href="https://twitter.com/jack/status/1022196722905296896?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 25, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

“A short thread addressing some issues folks are encountering as a result of our conversational health work, specifically the perception of “shadowbanning” based on content or ideology,” Twitter founder Jack Dorsey said. “It suffices to say we have a lot more work to do to earn people’s trust on how we work.”

This meticulously plotted wordplay, to somehow suggest that “conversational health,” is an issue, is a means of plausible deniability, despite the entire world, whether Liberal or Conservative,<a href="https://thegoldwater.com/news/19782-Right-CENSORED-by-Big-Tech-Why-We-Must-Defeat-Them"> knowing the censorship to be true</a>.

<div style="width:100%;text-align:center;margin:0 auto;"><iframe width="360" height="202" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/64gTjdUrDF" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>

Through shadowbanning, a technique that was exposed to the masses by Project Veritas, Twitter has transformed from a once free-speech platform into an Orwellian of not totalitarian suppressor of freedom of speech and mastering the art of manipulating their algorithms to hide how they're specifically censoring Conservatives.

“I am contemplating a complaint with the FEC because if my political opponents have better access to the Twitter platform than I do, that’s no different than a private company giving my political opponents access to a billboard or television time or radio time,” Gaetz argued.“That wouldn’t be equal. So I believe that Twitter may have illegally donated to the campaigns of my opponents by prejudicing against my content.”

Matt Gaetz is correct, and he's not the only target.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">.<a href="https://twitter.com/RepMattGaetz?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@RepMattGaetz</a>: &quot;I believe that Twitter may have illegally donated to the campaigns of my opponents by prejudicing against my content.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/XV7s9U1WAz">https://t.co/XV7s9U1WAz</a> via <a href="https://twitter.com/DailyCaller?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DailyCaller</a></p>&mdash; Peter J. Hasson (@peterjhasson) <a href="https://twitter.com/peterjhasson/status/1022309700971495425?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

If you're a regular Twitter user, Facebook user, or a Reddit user who supports President Trump; <i>you're fully aware of the censorship and targeting occurring at the hands of the leftist ownership</i>, and nobody can tell you otherwise.

Chances are, you've experienced it yourself.

However, thanks to the power of the Trump Administration’s desire to speak directly to America through Twitter, it's become a dominant platform for Trump supporters to join and hear from the man they voted for, or have switched to supporting since, through his Twitter account.

This has triggered the celebrities of Hollywood, of whom are 99.9% far-left in terms of values, alongside the progressive, communist, anarchist, and social justice warrior voters of the Democratic Party; resulting in a clashing of ideas from the overwhelmingly dominant intellectual capacity of the Trump base.

As a result, and the fact remaining that President Trump nor his supporters are “politically correct,” in terms of being blunt and direct with their remarks, the social media platforms like Twitter developed censorship techniques that target those people without merit.

Yes, Twitter is a company that can enforce its own rules, albeit publicly traded, and technically, should answer to shareholders, who seemingly don't care that the company continues to provide little revenue.

What has happened to the once-proud platform as a result, however, is it's lost its original “flavor” that attracted debate and freedom of thought.

There are already two types of means to filter what you don't want to see on Twitter: a “mute” function, and the ability to “block” an account.

That alone would spark “healthy conversation,” as each individual user can merit what is and is not acceptable for them to personally see.

Instead, Twitter is deciding for everyone what they can and cannot see, and that is arguing that human beings aren't capable of making their own decisions, something that even the left-wing, outside of radicals, have a problem with.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here is the thing about Twitter <a href="https://twitter.com/jack?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jack</a>,<br><br>I ventured onto Twitter in 2008 with zero connections to the political world. I was just a new voice in a sea of voices.<br><br>I made friends, engaged with accomplished people in my chosen fields of interest and earned interest in return.</p>&mdash; Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfelixg/status/1022301897368252417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I found my voice and became inspired to write.<br><br>I was published on websites I frequently visted and my work was shared on Twitter by people I respected. People I only knew from books and TV followed me and we engaged in interesting discussion.<br><br>I talked to real people.</p>&mdash; Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfelixg/status/1022301898697830401?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">My work was recognized and I was verified. I earned the trust and respect of my peers in my field, wrote and published several books, did interviews with my favorite people, became a professional writer …<br><br>All because of the platform Twitter offered.</p>&mdash; Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfelixg/status/1022301900350402560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I have gotten to share my life with the people I engage with here. I made friends with political opponents and witnessed important life events with real people from around the world.<br><br>I met my husband here. Shared my wedding and the people who choose to follow me celebrated.</p>&mdash; Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfelixg/status/1022301901684129792?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I have had the chance to witness and directly interact with dozens of major world events, in real time, with thousands of other people simultaneously. I have watched history unfold.<br><br>This is something no other group of people have ever shared together in history.</p>&mdash; Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfelixg/status/1022301903324172288?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Twitter matters.<br>But over time, rather than a free and open exchange with the world, it has felt more and more like a place where voices like mine are targeted, unwelcome and intentionally suppressed. People can no longer experience Twitter the way I did. New voices are lost.</p>&mdash; Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfelixg/status/1022301904565661697?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">The people I follow sometimes cannot see me in their feeds and I no longer see them. Fewer and fewer voices appear in my timeline. I search for people to find what they said hours before.<br><br>It feels as though we are filtered, censored and even silenced selectively.</p>&mdash; Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfelixg/status/1022301905933021186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I don&#39;t want to keep fighting or yelling or complaining.<br><br>I just want to enjoy this brilliant platform that allowed me to find myself, grow in my voice and build my work and perspective again.<br><br>I want to see all tweets, in real time.<br>That&#39;s all.</p>&mdash; Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfelixg/status/1022301908097294342?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">I don&#39;t want to be protected from content.<br><br>Seeing controversial voices allowed me to know what was happening in the world from all sides and develop strong views. Seeing the extremes let&#39;s me know exactly where I stand.<br><br>We need the freedom to be offended.</p>&mdash; Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfelixg/status/1022301912354512897?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Finally, the safety I need is simple: If people threaten me or my family or expose my private information I want Twitter to intervene.<br><br>Everyone else I will block or mute.<br><br>I want to see the rules applied fairly; not subjectively through a political filter.<br><br>I want consistency.</p>&mdash; Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfelixg/status/1022301915621863424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Finally, the safety I need is simple: If people threaten me or my family or expose my private information I want Twitter to intervene.<br><br>Everyone else I will block or mute.<br><br>I want to see the rules applied fairly; not subjectively through a political filter.<br><br>I want consistency.</p>&mdash; Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfelixg/status/1022301915621863424?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">You created something unique and powerful.<br><br>You gave regular people like me the opportunity to build a voice and engage with the world and genuinely be heard.<br><br>But the more you try to protect us or satisfy the demands of the mob, <a href="https://twitter.com/jack?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@jack</a>, the less your creation freely lives.</p>&mdash; Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfelixg/status/1022301917005922304?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-conversation="none" data-lang="en"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Please just give us our Twitter back and let us control our own feeds, view our own content and be free from political suppression and censorship.<br><br>That&#39;s all we ask.</p>&mdash; Chad Felix Greene (@chadfelixg) <a href="https://twitter.com/chadfelixg/status/1022301919279308800?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 26, 2018</a></blockquote>

<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The above thread politely, and eloquently, explains how Twitter has harmed itself with this censorship and damaged the integrity of a powerful platform that has the potential to connect billions of people across the globe.

We do not want to be told what content we can or cannot see, nor do we want others to be prevented from seeing our own content unless they personally choose not to see it.

We want control again, and we the people most certainly deserve this control.

This form of separation is divisive, and demanding, and has led us into the fragile sense of never knowing if an opinion you geek strongly about, that others disagree with, will lead to them attacking you through targeting mass reporting of your account.

With Twitter's “machine learning,” in other words, <i>algorithmic censorship</i>, it means that if you're targeted by the opposing ideological perspectives, you're deemed as being a person who provides “unhealthy content,” which simply isn't true.

It's not a coincidence that Trump supporters, en masse, including GOP Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, Representative Matt Gaetz (R-FL), and Representative Jim Jordan (R-OH) are being shadowbanned by Twitter, preventing their content from reaching the masses unless they go looking for it.

Twitter is fully aware of what they're doing, regardless if they deny it. It's been proven in undercover videos, and it's obvious when GOP politicians, Trump supporters, and global leaders who lean to the right are all facing the same censorship.

Florida Republican Matt Gaetz is now considering retaliation, suggesting that he could potentially begin filing a complaint with the Federal Election Commission (FEC) as a result of this elections meddling.

It effectively makes whoever were to challenge Gaetz in an election have an advantage, which in turn makes Twitter a Political Action Committee (PAC) for the Democratic Party.

That's exactly what Gaetz should do, and force Twitter to release their algorithms to Congress to be examined by a third party.

<a href="https://news.vice.com/en_us/article/43paqq/twitter-is-shadow-banning-prominent-republicans-like-the-rnc-chair-and-trump-jrs-spokesman">VICE reported: </a>

<blockquote>Twitter is limiting the visibility of prominent Republicans in search results — a technique known as “shadow banning” — in what it says is a side effect of its attempts to improve the quality of discourse on the platform.</blockquote>

<blockquote>The Republican Party chair Ronna McDaniel, several conservative Republican congressmen, and Donald Trump Jr.’s spokesman no longer appear in the auto-populated drop-down search box on Twitter, VICE News has learned. It’s a shift that diminishes their reach on the platform — and it's the same one being deployed against prominent racists to limit their visibility. The profiles continue to appear when conducting a full search, but not in the more convenient and visible drop-down bar. (The accounts appear to also populate if you already follow the person.)</i>

<blockquote>Democrats are not being “shadow banned” in the same way, according to a VICE News review. McDaniel’s counterpart, Democratic Party chair Tom Perez, and liberal members of Congress — including Reps. Maxine Waters, Joe Kennedy III, Keith Ellison, and Mark Pocan — all continue to appear in drop-down search results. Not a single member of the 78-person Progressive Caucus faces the same situation in Twitter’s search.</blockquote>

<blockquote>“The notion that social media companies would suppress certain political points of view should concern every American,” McDaniel told VICE News in a statement. “Twitter owes the public answers to what’s really going on.”</blockquote>

<blockquote>Presented with screenshots of the searches, a Twitter spokesperson told VICE News: “We are aware that some accounts are not automatically populating in our search box and shipping a change to address this.” Asked why only conservative Republicans appear to be affected and not liberal Democrats, the spokesperson wrote: “I'd emphasize that our technology is based on account *behavior* not the content of Tweets.”</blockquote>

What behavior deems it acceptable to censor only Republicans and those in support of President Trump?

Twitter can lie all they like, by misleading the public with wording that doesn't answer to the facts, but we know it's happening.

If Gaetz were to follow through, it would undoubtedly send a strong message to Twitter, and all of the liberal-owned social media platforms, that this behavior won't be tolerated.

Many have suggested that the US Congress needs to consider legislation for an<a href="https://thegoldwater.com/news/20954-The-Internet-Bill-of-Rights-Petitioning-the-White-House"> “Internet Bill Of Rights” (IBOR)</a>, although as we know, government intervention tends to end badly.

It could, however, be victorious, if allowing the input of experts who are impartial, and taking the testimonials of Twitter, Facebook, and Reddit users into consideration.

Twitter also claims its “purging fake accounts,” but to date, countless “trolls” exist who are designed to make fun of Republicans and the 45th President of the United States of America, while only seeming to ban widely known Trump supporters.

There's no doubt a bias, and it's definitely happening on a daily basis.

What happens next is anyone's guess, but freedom of speech must be protected, and the internet, is indeed becoming a <i>necessity</i> to the survival of businesses, careers, and advertising.

Should social media be granted an “Internet Bill Of Rights?” Leave a comment below with your thoughts, and be sure to contact your elected officials and tell them how you feel.

<a href="https://www.house.gov/Representatives">Click here to find your elected officials in the House of Representatives.</a>

<a href="https://www.senate.gov/reference/common/faq/How_to_correspond_senators.htm">Click here to find your elected officials in the United States Senate.</a>

Additional Sources or Relevant Information:

http://dailycaller.com/2018/07/25/gop-gaetz-fec-twitter-shadow-ban/

<strong><span style="color:red;">Tips? Info? Send me a message!</span></strong>

~<b>Send Me An E-Mail!</b>

—<i>[email protected]</i>

<b><i>Follow Me On Twitter!</i></b>

<a href="https://www.twitter.com/IWillRedPillU">@IWillRedPillU</a>

<span style="margin-top:15px;rgba(42,51,6,0.7);font-size:12px;"><i>Be Sure To Share Our Articles!</i></span>

<span style="margin-top:15px;rgba(42,51,6,0.7);font-size:12px;"><b>The Goldwater</b></span>