President Trump doesn’t have to go through Twitter withdrawal while in China, the White House said, although most Western social media platforms are banned in the communist country.
On the flight to China, a senior White House official told reporters aboard Air Force One that they likely have the ability to access Twitter despite the ban.
“I’m sure we’ve got the gear aboard this airplane to allow that to happen,” the official said. “But it is noteworthy that none of the major Western platforms for social media are even allowed to operate in China.”
The official said that there was no diplomatic reason for Mr. Trump to refrain from Twitter.
“The president will tweet whenever he wants. That’s his way of communicating directly with the American people,” the official said.
Mr. Trump sent his first tweet later that night in Beijing.
He wrote: “On behalf of @FLOTUS Melania and I, THANK YOU for an unforgettable afternoon and evening at the Forbidden City in Beijing, President Xi and Madame Peng Liyuan. We are looking forward to rejoining you tomorrow morning!”
Still, he tweeted much less than he did in South Korea.
Mr. Trump tweeted or retweeted 20 message during his one-day visit to South Korea.
On behalf of @FLOTUS Melania and I, THANK YOU for an unforgettable afternoon and evening at the Forbidden City in Beijing, President Xi and Madame Peng Liyuan. We are looking forward to rejoining you tomorrow morning! https://t.co/ma0F7SHbVU
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 8, 2017
• S.A. Miller can be reached at smiller@washingtontimes.com.
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