Mail bomb suspect Cesar Sayoc tweeted hundreds of direct threats
Cesar Sayoc, the Florida man accused of mailing explosive devices to prominent Democrats and critics of President Trump, recently tweeted more than 240 threats to at least 50 public officials, members of the media, and news organizations, CNN reports.
CNN analyzed thousands of tweets sent by Sayoc, and found that he often posted about conspiracy theories and shared false news articles. He tweeted about chem trails, "Pizzagate," and birtherism, and in April, he began directly tweeting threats to people. He would often say "Your days are over" and "Hug your loved ones real close everytime U leave your home," CNN reports, and he would on occasion tweet the same threat to a person multiple times.
During the spring and summer, he tweeted photos of the homes of two people who received pipe bombs: billionaire Democratic donor George Soros and Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.). Comedian Kathy Griffin told CNN that Sayoc threatened her, but she didn't see his tweets because she receives so many nasty messages. Political analyst Rochelle Ritchie did see the threats he sent to her, and she notified Twitter, and the company apologized last week for doing nothing after she reported Sayoc.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
In a statement to CNN, Twitter said Sayoc's account was "permanently suspended from Twitter," and "violent threats, targeted abuse, and hateful conduct are against our rules. This type of content does not enable or empower speech and has no place on our service." The company also said it plans on "using new technology to detect abusive content without requiring someone to report it first."
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Catherine Garcia has worked as a senior writer at The Week since 2014. Her writing and reporting have appeared in Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, Wirecutter, NBC News and "The Book of Jezebel," among others. She's a graduate of the University of Redlands and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.
-
Today's political cartoons - November 24, 2024
Cartoons Sunday's cartoons - taped bananas, flying monkeys, and more
By The Week US Published
-
The Spanish cop, 20 million euros and 13 tonnes of cocaine
In the Spotlight Óscar Sánchez Gil, Chief Inspector of Spain's Economic and Tax Crimes Unit, has been arrested for drug trafficking
By The Week UK Published
-
5 hilarious cartoons about the rise and fall of Matt Gaetz
Cartoons Artists take on age brackets, backbiting, and more
By The Week US Published
-
Nobody seems surprised Wagner's Prigozhin died under suspicious circumstances
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Western mountain climbers allegedly left Pakistani porter to die on K2
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
'Circular saw blades' divide controversial Rio Grande buoys installed by Texas governor
Speed Read
By Peter Weber Published
-
Los Angeles city workers stage 1-day walkout over labor conditions
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Mega Millions jackpot climbs to an estimated $1.55 billion
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Bangladesh dealing with worst dengue fever outbreak on record
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Glacial outburst flooding in Juneau destroys homes
Speed Read
By Catherine Garcia Published
-
Scotland seeking 'monster hunters' to search for fabled Loch Ness creature
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published