Facebook removes Trump post due to coronavirus misinformation
For the first time, Facebook has removed a post on President Trump's personal page that spread misinformation about the coronavirus.
The post featured a clip of Trump's interview with Fox News that aired on Wednesday morning. Trump claimed that children are "almost immune" or "virtually immune" from COVID-19, and as such should be able to go back to school in the fall. Children can in fact transmit the virus and have died of it.
Andy Stone, a Facebook policy spokesman, told NBC News the video "includes false claims that a group of people is immune from COVID-19 which is a violation of our policies around harmful COVID misinformation."
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.
Earlier Wednesday, The Washington Post reported that the Trump campaign has run several ads on Facebook with false claims about former Vice President Joe Biden, the presumptive Democratic nominee. The social network's independent fact checkers flagged the ads, but their findings were never shared with users.
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.
-
Schloss Roxburghe: a quiet country retreat in the Scottish Borders
The Week Recommends Hyatt has added a collection of self-catering cottages to its destination hotel
By Jonathan Samuels Published
-
The biggest sporting events of 2025
The Explainer Women's Rugby World Cup and African Cup of Nations are among sporting highlights this coming year
By The Week UK Published
-
2024: the year of the gender divide
In the Spotlight A growing ideological rift between young men and women was felt on a global scale this year
By Theara Coleman, The Week US Published
-
Judge rejects Elon Musk's $56B pay package again
Speed Read Judge Kathaleen McCormick upheld her rejection of the Tesla CEO's unprecedented compensation deal
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
DOJ seeks breakup of Google, Chrome
Speed Read The Justice Department aims to force Google to sell off Chrome and make other changes to rectify its illegal search monopoly
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Racist texts tell Black people in US to prepare for slavery
Speed Read Recipients in at least a dozen states have been told to prepare to 'pick cotton' on slave plantations
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Australia proposes social media ban before age 16
Speed Read Australia proposes social media ban before age 16
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
FTC bans fake online product reviews
Speed Read The agency will enforce fines of up to $51,744 per violation
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
States sue TikTok over children's mental health
Speed Read The lawsuit was filed by 13 states and Washington, D.C.
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Amazon ending 'Just Walk Out' grocery checkout
Speed Read In its place, the company will let customers scan while they shop with Amazon Dash Cart
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Justice Department bites Apple with iPhone suit
Speed Read The lawsuit alleges that the tech company monopolized the smartphone industry
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published