President Donald Trump’s use of Twitter has dramatically altered the flow of public information about White House policy and procedures. With 66.9 million followers, the president can communicate directly with his audience across the political spectrum, bypassing traditional media channels.
The Power of Twitter in Politics
According to The New York Times, early in his presidency, top aides attempted to curb President Trump’s Twitter activity, even considering asking the platform to impose a 15-minute delay. Despite these efforts, Twitter remained a powerful tool that may have contributed to his election victory by enabling direct communication with his targeted audience. However, fewer than one-fifth of his followers are voting-age Americans, as per a Times analysis of Pew Research national surveys of adult Twitter users.
Trump’s Foreign Policy via Tweets
President Trump has used Twitter to address critical issues such as foreign policy. In October 2018, he tweeted about a caravan of migrants from Central America: “I must, in the strongest of terms, ask Mexico to stop this onslaught. If unable to do so, I will call up the U.S. Military and CLOSE OUR SOUTHERN BORDER!”
Terminations Announced on Twitter
Twitter has also been the platform for announcing key terminations. In April 2019, Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen’s resignation was preempted by a tweet from President Trump stating she “will be leaving her position.” Similarly, in October 2017, while Secretary of State Rex W. Tillerson was in China negotiating sanctions on North Korea, President Trump tweeted that Tillerson was “wasting his time trying to negotiate with Little Rocket Man,” signaling a lack of support for the ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Twitter Misinformation and Ethical Concerns
President Trump has frequently used Twitter to spread misinformation. On his sixth day as President, he falsely claimed that millions of people voted illegally in the 2016 election, costing him the popular vote majority. He has tweeted over 40 times about voter fraud and a “rigged” electoral system. Additionally, the President has used Twitter to promote personal agendas, including a book by his son, which raised ethical concerns. Project on Government Oversight noted that such promotional tweets might violate ethics rules.
Impact on Credibility and Impeachment Inquiry
The president’s use of Twitter has damaged his credibility among those who did not vote for him. Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s announcement of an impeachment inquiry was met with a predictably inflammatory response from President Trump on Twitter. The core issue of the inquiry is whether President Trump withheld foreign aid to pressure a foreign country into investigating a political opponent.
While former Ambassador Marie L. Yovanovitch testified during the inquiry, President Trump tweeted, “Everywhere Marie Yovanovitch went turned bad. She started off in Somalia, how did that go?” This tweet and others like it have fueled ongoing debates about the appropriateness of the President’s use of social media.
The Divisive Role of Twitter
President Trump’s tweets have introduced a new dynamic to the office of the presidency, fostering division and animosity toward once-respected political institutions and media outlets. As the 2020 election approaches, the impeachment inquiry could disrupt governance and further polarize the electorate.
Focus on Local Unity
Amidst this national discord, it’s crucial to focus on unity at the local level. By partnering on community programs that enrich and develop the areas we live in, we can build a stronger foundation for our communities.
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