Twitter has no intention of lifting its ban on Laura Loomer in light of her receiving the Republican nomination to run for Congress, the social media company confirmed Thursday.
Ms. Loomer, who was booted from Twitter nearly two years before winning the GOP’s nod Tuesday, “was permanently suspended for repeated violations of the Twitter Rules, and we do not plan to reverse that enforcement action,” Twitter spokesperson Trenton Kennedy told The Washington Times.
Facebook similarly told The Times later Thursday that Ms. Loomer’s ban from its platforms remains in place.
Twitter punted Ms. Loomer from its platform in November 2018, prompting her to handcuff herself to the company’s New York offices and later unsuccessfully sue in federal court.
Prior to being kicked off Twitter, Ms. Loomer ranted frequently against Islam, including calling it a “cancer” and endorsing a complete and total ban on Muslims entering the U.S.
Facebook later banned Ms. Loomer in 2019 from its flagship social network and sister service Instagram after finding she violated its policy against “dangerous” individuals.
More recently, she won the GOP nomination this week to run in November against incumbent Rep. Lois Frankel, Florida Democrat, to represent the state’s 21st Congressional District.
President Trump subsequently congratulated her Wednesday. White House press secretary Kayleigh McEnany told reporters later she didn’t know whether Mr. Trump was aware of Ms. Loomer’s remarks about Muslims.
Speaking to The Times in May, Ms. Loomer said she would decline to rejoin Twitter or Facebook if either platform reverses course.
“I guess when I win, and I’m going to win, I’ll be the only member of Congress who is banned on all social media,” Ms. Loomer, 27, she said at the time.
More than 260,000 Twitter accounts followed Ms. Loomer’s profile on the platform prior to her permanent suspension.
Facebook told The Times later Thursday that Ms. Loomer’s designation under the platform’s dangerous individuals and organizations policy – and ban – remain in place.
• Andrew Blake can be reached at ablake@washingtontimes.com.
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