Twitter to label tweets from Trump, other leaders that violate its rules

SAN JOSE — Twitter on Thursday unveiled a new policy designed to alert its users about tweets from world leaders that violate its content standards, but the social media giant also will allow such tweets to remain in place if they are deemed to be in the interest of the public.

The new policy will have a narrow focus: It will apply to verified accounts of government officials, those running for public office, and those under consideration for a government position with at least 100,000 Twitter followers. The company said when someone comes across a tweet that meets those criteria, they will see a screen alerting them about the content and will have to click through to see the tweet.

“The Twitter Rules about abusive behavior apply to this Tweet. However, Twitter has determined that it may be in the public’s interest for the Tweet to remain available,” is what the disclaimer will say.

Twitter said a group — made up of members from its trust and safety, legal, public policy and regional teams — will be responsible for determining which tweets qualify for the disclaimer. The company also said that while it believes users should have access to the tweets of world leaders, it likely would make an exception for tweets that include “direct threats of violence or calls to commit violence against an individual,” as such statements are “unlikely to be considered in the public interest.”

Twitter said the new policy won’t apply to tweets sent before Thursday. The company doesn’t know when the disclaimer will initially be used, and it expects that it won’t be used often.

While Twitter never specifically mentioned President Donald Trump by name, the president — known for his high-profile, and sometimes controversial use of Twitter to promote his political agenda and attack his rivals — may find himself on a collision course with the social media company over the content of his tweets.

Just this week, Trump took umbrage with soccer player Megan Rapinoe after she said she wouldn’t come to White House with her U.S. Women’s National Team members after the end of the World Cup.

“Women’s soccer player @mPinoe just stated that she is ‘not going to the F...ing White House if we win,” Trump tweeted. “I am a big fan of the American Team, and Women’s Soccer, but Megan should WIN first before she TALKS! Finish the job!”