Rogue Twitter worker silences Trump for 11 minutes and some people were happy
This person managed to do the impossible: Shut down the Twitter account of the most powerful man in the world.
On Thursday, Trump’s digital mouthpiece vanished from cyberspace at around 6:45 p.m.
If you were looking for the president’s latest diatribe, you got the notice, “Sorry, that page doesn't exist!”
Around 10 minutes later, the normally busy account was back up and running.
Apparently, this bold move was not “human error,” the excuse Twitter folks first used at around 8 p.m.
“Earlier today @realdonaldtrump’s account was inadvertently deactivated due to human error by a Twitter employee,” read a statement on Twitter Government. “The account was down for 11 minutes, and has since been restored. We are continuing to investigate and are taking steps to prevent this from happening again.”
Earlier today @realdonaldtrump’s account was inadvertently deactivated due to human error by a Twitter employee. The account was down for 11 minutes, and has since been restored. We are continuing to investigate and are taking steps to prevent this from happening again.
— Twitter Government (@TwitterGov) November 3, 2017
The social network later admitted that the deactivation was the lone act of “a Twitter customer support employee who did this on the employee's last day.”
My Twitter account was taken down for 11 minutes by a rogue employee. I guess the word must finally be getting out-and having an impact.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) November 3, 2017
Needless to say, Trump was not pleased, and of course, went back to his favorite platform to express himself, and also promote himself in the process.
“My Twitter account was taken down for 11 minutes by a rogue employee,” Trump complained, adding, “I guess the word must finally be getting out-and having an impact.”
Commenters couldn’t resist: “For 11 minutes, You actually had to find something presidential to do,” wrote @KedzieMusic.
“The impact being that you are a corrupt, lying a--hole? Yes,” added @HeathrMichelle
“Yes. Your statement is correct but not the kind of impact you are thinking,” posted @kschmillen. “Delusional narcissist.”
The brave person who was responsible for the deactivation? We are unsure, as Twitter has not released the information.
Was he/she accepting a dare? Still angry that Hillary Clinton lost? Upset by Trump’s treatment of fallen soldiers?
Who knows?
Some patriotic American doing the right thing.
— Robyn Whatsittoya (@concrndctizen) November 3, 2017
Regardless, he/she is being hailed as a hero to some; some in the Twittersphere want him/her to get a raise and promotion.
Give that Twitter employee a raise and a promotion. He was doing the country a great service.
— gr8tballafire (@gr8tballafire) November 3, 2017
A hashtag is going around: #TrumpsTwitterSwitchFlipper and someone named @dreggas suggested a GoFundMe, as well as free pizza.
We reached out to Twitter to find out more about this person, and will let you know what we find out.
The Washington Post reports that whoever it is, she/he may be facing hacking charges.
This story was originally published November 3, 2017 at 10:30 AM with the headline "Rogue Twitter worker silences Trump for 11 minutes and some people were happy."