Twitter suspends Trump amid Capitol violence

WASHINGTON » Twit ter locked President Donald Trump out of his account for the first time late Wednesday, the most punitive step the social media giant has taken against the president, on a day of social unrest and violence in Washington.

The lockout, which will last 12 hours, also included the removal of three tweets and a warning that Trump could be banned if he continues tweeting baseless conspiracy theories about the election and inciting violence.

Facebook followed, blocking the president’s account for the first time for 24 hours for what it said was two policy violations, though it did not threaten permanent suspension.

The social media giants’ actions were the latest volleys in months of heightened tension between Silicon Valley and Trump, after months of struggling to combat baseless allegations of a stolen election long stoked by Trump and his allies.