OPINION:
President Donald Trump shared critical tweets about Anthony Fauci that raised questions about the doctor’s truth-telling of the efficacy of hydroxychloroquine to help cure the coronavirus — and the censors on social media responded by removing his posts.
Anyone who thinks freedom of speech still stands strong in this nation — take note: It does not.
Big Tech is watching, always watching. The social media censors have become the Big Brothers of modern times.
And they were in high gear in recent hours to scrub certain YouTube, Facebook and Twitter mentions of the America’s Frontline Doctors gathering on Capitol Hill, the one where doctors who differ in Covid-19 opinion from Fauci were given a platform to speak.
Boy, did they speak.
Trump retweeted this, from @WarRoomPandemic, as The Daily Mail noted: “Dr. Lee Vliet: Dr Fauci has misled the American public on many issues, but in particular, on dismissing #hydroxychloroquine and calling Remdesivir the new gold standard.” The message, came above a video clip of Steve Bannon, former White House strategist, discussing the matter.
Trump also retweeted a couple of posts of a doctor’s speech, delivered just this week from the steps of the Capitol, about the coronavirus “cure” properties of hydroxychloroquine,
The videos were removed.
They were deemed to be violations of Twitter’s misinformation policies.
The social media censors have spoken.
That, despite the fact this doctor, Stella Immanuel, said she’s treated more than 350 coronavirus patients with hydroxychloroquine — “with 100% success.”
Isn’t that newsworthy?
Isn’t that worth passing along social media trails?
After all — if Fauci, as a doctor, is given carte blanche to speak at will on the coronavirus, based on his doctorly credentials, shouldn’t other doctors, as well?
“WOW!” one Twitter poster wrote, about Immanuel’s Capitol Hill remarks. “Doctor calls out what should be the biggest scandal in modern American history: The suppression of #Hydroxychloroquine by Fauci & the Democrats to perpetuate Covid deaths to hurt Trump. ’I have treated over 350 patients with 100% success.’ ’I have been threatened.’ “
And Trump retweeted that post. And that post was removed.
As a matter of fact — Trump retweeted video of Immanuel’s remarks twice. And twice, his retweeted posts were removed.
Immanuel is not the only doctor speaking critically of Fauci, speaking favorably of hydroxychloroquine, speaking with a questioning tone about the left’s political response to this whole COVID-19 matter — and wondering why the entire nation was shut down, the entire economy collapsed.
“Physicians Offer Evidence In Support Of Hydroxychloroquine In New Court Filing,” the Arizona Independent News Network wrote, a few days ago, which was then tweeted by thousands of social media users — one of which was then retweeted by the president. Which was then removed by the social media censors.
“Hydroxychloroquine lowers COVID-19 death rate, Henry Ford study finds,” The Detroit News wrote, a few days ago, which was then tweeted by thousands of social media users — one of which was then retweeted by the president. Which was then removed by the social media censors.
Sensing the trend?
Seeing the forest, as well as the trees?
Challenge the status quo on the coronavirus — the one that says stay at home, stay away from others, stay out of stores, schools and churches and when impossible to do, don a face mask to save others — challenge that, and face this: censorship.
The utter shutdown of freedom to speak.
As CNN’s Oliver Darcy snarked, “Videos Trump shared [of Immanuel’s speech] are now no longer available.”
Gone, like a political dissenter in a Soviet secret police night.
Still, the video of Immanuel’s remarks chalked up about 17 million views on Twitter, before it was removed, Breitbart reported.
Social media can shut down speech; social media can even censor the president of the United States. But at least 17 million Americans have heard a countering viewpoint on the coronavirus. And even social media can’t erase the memories of 14 million.
• Cheryl Chumley can be reached at cchumley@washingtontimes.comor on Twitter, @ckchumley. Listen to her podcast “Bold and Blunt” by clicking HERE. And never miss her column; subscribe to her newsletter by clicking HERE.
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