Facebook and Twitter blocked a post Tuesday from President
Trump's post falsely claimed that the COVID-19 is less deadly than the seasonal flu, prompting Twitter to hide the post on its platform and Facebook to remove the post altogether.
Doctors and scientists are working to estimate the mortality rate of COVID-19, but it is thought to be substantially higher -- possibly 10 times or more -- than that of most strains of the flu, according to
Trump's post is hidden behind a warning label on Twitter and users must click on "View" to see it.
"This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules about spreading misleading and potentially harmful information related to COVID-19," the Twitter warning label said. "However, Twitter has determined that it may be in the public's interest for the Tweet to remain accessible."
As of Tuesday morning, COVID-19 has infected over 7.4 million people in
From the 2019-20 seasonal flu, an estimated 22,000 people died in
Trump announced his departure from
His physician, Dr.
A new
Twitter and Facebook also removed a post from Trump in August for similarly making false claims about the coronavirus.
In the August post, Trump falsely claimed that children are "almost immune" to the virus.
On Tuesday afternoon, Trump tweeted, "Repeal Section 230!"
Trump did not make clear exactly what he was referring to, but Section 230 is shorthand for part of
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