Facebook on Monday removed a campaign video from Missouri Republican Senate candidate Eric Greitens in which he is seen holding a gun. The social media website said that the video violated the platform’s rules against violence.
In the video, Greitens states that he is hunting RINOs, or Republicans In Name Only. The ad includes the former Missouri governor being flanked by an armed tactical unit on a street outside a home.
“The RINO feeds on corruption and is marked by the stripes of cowardice,” he says in the video.
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The tactical team breaks through the front door and throws flash-bang grenades inside the home. Greitens is then seen entering an empty living room through the smoke and urges voters to get a “RINO hunting permit.”
“Join the MAGA crew. Get a RINO hunting permit. There’s no bagging limit, no tagging limit and it doesn’t expire until we save our country,” he said in the clip.
While Facebook took down the video over violation of policies “prohibiting violence and incitement,” Twitter allowed Greitens’ ad to stay on the platform.
Twitter said that while it violated its rules on abusive behavior, the clip was in the “public’s interest.” Twitter, however, restricted, retweets, likes and replies to the post.
Greitens slammed the social media platforms for taking action against the video.
“Big Tech is once again meddling in our elections and putting their thumb on the scale,” Greitens tweeted on Monday.
“When I’m U.S. Senator, I will fight against the disgusting tech oligarchs from stealing any more elections,” he said.
In his original tweet containing the video, Greitens had written: “We are sick and tired of the Republicans in Name Only surrendering to Joe Biden & the radical Left. Order your RINO Hunting Permit today!”
Greitens is battling for the competitive Aug. 2 GOP primary, hoping to take the place of retiring Republican Sen. Roy Blunt.
The 48-year-old is struggling to move past allegations of domestic abuse made in a sworn affidavit filed in March by his ex-wife. His former spouse claims he physically abused her and one of their children.
The court documents state that his threats to kill himself if she did not provide “specific public support to him” demonstrated “unstable and coercive behavior.” This also led others having to intervene to limit his access to firearms. However, Greitens has denied the allegations.
