Twitter locked Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) out of his account after he changed his profile picture to an image from a hunting trip with his wife, Cindy.
His account simply read, “@SteveDaines’s account is temporarily unavailable because it violates the Twitter Media Policy,” The Hill reports.
Twitter reportedly instructed Daines to “delete” his profile image for “graphic violence” that violates its rules.
“@SteveDaines’ twitter account was locked last night for displaying “graphic violence” in his profile picture. Because going hunting with your wife is apparently against @Twitter rules now. What a joke,” Rachel Dumke, the spokesperson for Daines, tweeted Tuesday.
.@SteveDaines’ twitter account was locked last night for displaying “graphic violence” in his profile picture.
— Rachel Dumke (@RachelDumke9) February 7, 2023
Because going hunting with your wife is apparently against @Twitter rules now.
What a joke. pic.twitter.com/gy4XIu3cv0
Donald Trump, Jr. called it a “disgrace” in a tweet.
Twitter has ridiculously suspended Sen. @SteveDaines because his profile picture is of him and his wife hunting…What a disgrace! pic.twitter.com/vH9QohkwSc
— Donald Trump Jr. (@DonaldJTrumpJr) February 7, 2023
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) tweeted the hashtag, “#FreeSteveDaines,” calling it “ridiculous” in a tweet.
“If you don’t like hunting, fine, don’t go. But don’t censor others who disagree,” Cruz said. “And I’m pretty sure this is a formal job responsibility for a senator from Montana!”
Joey Jones responded to Cruz’s tweet, adding, “This same app allows pornography without censoring. I have no idea what world we’re living in.”
This same app allows pornography without censoring. I have no idea what world we’re living in. https://t.co/0RGN8XJwzW
— Joey Jones (@Johnny_Joey) February 7, 2023
Twitter CEO Elon Musk responded that it’s “being fixed.”
“Policy against showing blood in profile pic is being amended to ‘clearly showing blood without clicking on the profile pic’,” Musk said. “The intent is to avoid people being forced to see gruesome profile pics.”
This is being fixed. Policy against showing blood in profile pic is being amended to “clearly showing blood without clicking on the profile pic”.
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 7, 2023
The intent is to avoid people being forced to see gruesome profile pics.
Caleb Parke is the SMG managing editor. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and connect with him at calebparke.com.