October 28, 2020

Duckworth Calls Out Republican Colleagues for Aiding Trump’s and Russia’s Efforts to Use Social Media for Misinformation Campaigns, Undermine Confidence in our Democracy

 

[WASHINGTON, D.C.] – During a U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science & Transportation (CST) hearing this morning, U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) condemned her Republican colleagues for attempting to placate President Donald Trump by advancing efforts to intimidate technology companies into inaction when it comes to properly labeling or blocking dangerous conspiracy theories, foreign disinformation efforts and irresponsible propaganda. At the hearing, Duckworth asked the CEOs of Twitter, Google and Facebook to commit that they will proactively counter domestic disinformation that spreads dangerous lies and remove disinformation from foreign adversaries that seeks to interfere in our election. Video of Duckworth’s remarks is available here.

“I’ve devoted my life in public service to upholding a sacred oath to support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies – foreign and domestic,” said Duckworth. “By placing the selfish interests of Donald Trump ahead of the health of our democracy, Senate Republicans, whether they realize it or not, are weakening our national security and providing aid to our adversaries.”

Duckworth continued, “Some on this Committee are playing politics at a time when responsible public officials should be doing everything in their power to preserve confidence in our systems of elections and systems of government. The reckless actions of Donald Trump and Senate Republicans do not let technology companies off the hook. Because facts still exist. Facts still matter. Facts save lives. There is no ‘both sides’ to the matter when one side has chosen to reject truth and embrace poisonous false information.”

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