Celebrities urge Twitter to permanently ban Trump after chilling video about Capitol riots
‘Shut this lying lunatic’s account down now,' Sarah Silverman wrote
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Celebrities are calling upon Twitter and Facebook to permanently ban Donald Trump from posting messages.
The social media sites have locked his accounts – Twitter for 12 hours, Facebook for 24 hours – with the former promising to block him for good if he breaks its rules again.
This move came after Trump violated policies for posting a video addressing his supporters who had earlier stormed the Capitol Building in an incident that left four dead.
In the video, Trump asked those involved to go home but called them “very special” and said “we love you”. He also repeated his false claim that he won the election.
Celebrities are urging the social media sites to ban the president immediately.
“The President says ‘we love you’ to a mob that stormed and terrorised the capitol,” wrote Ben Stiller. “It’s ironic that this person has been so enabled by a Congress that meets in the place his rhetoric has manifested into real violence."
Borat star Sacha Baron Cohen said: "Hey Mark Zuckerberg, @jack, @SusanWojcicki and @sundarpichai -- Donald Trump just incited a violent attack on American democracy. Is that FINALLY enough for you to act?! It's time to ban Donald Trump from your platforms once and for all!”
Sarah Silverman added: “SHUT THIS LYING LUNATIC’S ACCOUNT DOWN NOW.”
Josh Gad, who voices Olaf in Frozen, wrote: “On behalf of America @jack and @twitter you need to pull the chord on him now. He can't have this platform anymore. Don't be complicit in the violence he is instigating. Anyone out there want to co-sign?”
Ava Duvernay repeated what he said in the video (“I know your pain. I know your hurt. But you have to go home now... We love you. You’re very special”), adding: “Trump to his terrorists.”
Meanwhile, Schitt’s Creek star and co-creator Dan Levy wrote: “Delete the damn account.”
A social media suspension would mean that not only would Trump be unable to share new posts, his old tweets would likely no longer be visible too.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments