Politics

Eric Greitens’ new ‘RINO hunting’ campaign video violates Facebook, Twitter’s rules

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Former Missouri governor and current GOP US Senate candidate Eric Greitens’ newest campaign video violates Facebook and Twitter’s rules, the social media platforms say.

The campaign ad, which was posted to social media on Monday, shows Greitens holding a large firearm and telling viewers, “Today, we’re going RINO hunting.” RINO is an abbreviation for “Republican In Name Only” that many conservatives use to describe members of the party that often follow along with Democrats. 

The video then shows Greitens and a team of heavily armed, uniformed men using a battering ram to break into a house and swarm it, seemingly to hunt down someone who may be a “RINO.” The video drew immediate criticism from both sides of the aisle. Republican Representative Adam Kinzinger (R-IL), who has been accused of being a “RINO” himself, Tweeted in response to Greitens’ video, “You’re a very bad man.”

A few hours after it was posted, Facebook had removed the video, saying it violated the platform’s policy on violent content. “We removed this video for violating our policies prohibiting violence and incitement,” said a Meta spokesperson to KSHB 41. Twitter also flagged the video and added a disclaimer to it saying it violates Twitter’s rules, but allowed the video to remain on the platform saying it “in the public interest” to do so.

Greitens’ opponents did not waste time criticizing him for the violent ad. “Eric Greitens is an abuser, a blackmailer, and less than ten years ago — a Democrat,” said Rep. Vicki Hartzler’s campaign. “There is no basement too low for him to cover up his past Obama support and blindfold Missourians into believing he represents their values.”

Greitens has previously made headlines for resigning from the governorship over sexual assault accusations, and for claims of domestic abuse by his former wife.

ARTICLE: LAURA SPIVAK

MANAGING EDITOR: CARSON CHOATE

PHOTO CREDITS: NPR

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