Mark Zuckerberg's Meta Platforms has admitted that its censorship of the iconic picture of former President Donald Trump's fist raised high after the July 13 failed assassination attempt on him was an "error."
The aforementioned picture taken by Evan Vucci of the Associated Press (AP) quickly went viral moments after he pressed the shutter during the July 13 campaign rally at Butler, Pennsylvania. While Trump ended up with a bloodied face and grazed ear, rally Corey Comperatore died shielding his family from gunfire from Thomas Matthew Crooks. The 20-year-old crooks was eventually neutralized moments after he pulled the trigger.
Facebook Communications Director Dani Lever acknowledged Meta's censorship of the said photo as an "error." She continued: "This fact check was initially applied to a doctored photo showing the Secret Service agents smiling, and in some cases, our systems incorrectly applied that fact check to the real photo. This has been fixed and we apologize for the mistake." (Related: Facebook ADMITS to censoring Trump assassination attempt photo.)
"Facebook has just admitted that it wrongly censored the Trump 'attempted assassination photo,' and got caught," Trump himself remarked on Truth Social. "Same thing for Google. They made it virtually impossible to find pictures or anything about this heinous act."
"Both are facing big backlash over censorship claims. Here we go again, another attempt at rigging the election. Go after Meta and Google. Let the know we are all wise to them, [and we] will be much tougher this time."
This stark, emotive image became a symbol of defiance as Trump, despite his injury, stood up and rallied his supporters with a call to fight for America. However, the photo's journey through social media was marred by censorship. This suppression of of much concern because the oversight of digital speech as algorithmic changes can have major impacts on which messages get shared – and worse, which images are to be shared with the public, according to Reclaim The Net.
Editor wants to censor iconic image as it gives Trump "free PR"
Aside from concerns about speech in the public sphere, calls to censor Vucci's iconic photo of Trump raises concerns regarding the principles of press freedom and public interest. In one instance, an unnamed photo editor wanted the image to be suppressed from public view over concerns about the former president getting "free PR."
According to Axios, the unnamed editor emphasized the potential danger in glorifying such an image. Vucci's picture could serve as "free PR" for the former president, they stressed. Other editors also agreed, warning that the image could be used for "propaganda" purposes.
But according to psychotherapist Jonathan Alter, Vucci's photograph of Trump perfectly captures "the raw vulnerability of a powerful former leader at his most vulnerable moment likely ever in his life – only to be followed by that of perseverance, strength and defiance in the face of evil."
"This image very well encapsulates the essence of what most Americans have come to admire in our heroes – both in fiction and in real life – and in those we look towards to lead: Emerging from chaos with resilience and authority, and unwavering toughness."
Visit Trump.news for similar stories.
Watch this video about Google hiding Trump's failed assassination attempt from search engine results, similar to what Meta does.
This video is from the high impact Flix and more!!! channel on Brighteon.com.
More related stories:
The Trump assassination attempt exposes the establishment’s deceitfulness.
House Speaker Johnson opens probe into Trump assassination attempt and Secret Service lapses.
X user: FBI and Secret Service were complicit in Trump assassination attempt.
Sources include:
Please contact us for more information.