Trump v Facebook: Ex-president rages at ban as White House says tech has responsibility to public

Donald Trump is tossing out statement after statement today, and has now turned his ire once again on Liz Cheney while endorsing her anointed replacement, Elise Stefanik.

Here’s the text of his latest tirade:

“Liz Cheney is a warmongering fool who has no business in Republican Party Leadership. We want leaders who believe in the Make America Great Again movement, and prioritize the values of America First. Elise Stefanik is a far superior choice, and she has my COMPLETE and TOTAL Endorsement for GOP Conference Chair. Elise is a tough and smart communicator!”

New York representative Elise Stefanik tweeted out her thanks to former president Donald Trump for his support for her run at becoming House GOP conference chair.

She vows to use the position to oust Nancy Pelosi and win back the chamber in 2022.

A decision from Facebook’s Oversight Board upheld the social media company’s move to ban former president Donald Trump from its platforms, while also giving Facebook six months to review the decision.

The binding ruling – four months from the Capitol riot fuelled by then-president Trump’s “stolen election” lies that prompted Facebook to indefinitely suspend his accounts – could have a seismic impact on his future political designs and begin to reshape the digital landscape for public officials and their campaigns.

In its ruling on Wednesday, the board found that Mr Trump “created an environment where a serious risk of violence was possible” after maintaining an unfounded narrative of electoral fraud and persistent calls to action” leading up to 6 January, with an audience of 35 million followers on Facebook and 24 million on Instagram.

Alex Woodward reports from New York.

Asked about the GOP’s efforts to oust Liz Cheney from her leadership post in the party, Joe Biden replied, simply: “I don’t understand the Republicans.”

The president was asked as he exited a taqueria, a bag of tacos and enchiladas in hand, to highlight support for restaurants under the American Rescue Plan.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell twice deflects when asked about Liz Cheney’s leadership position in the House.

He says that his focus is on standing up to the Biden administration.

Donald Trump will remain banned from Facebook and Instagram, per the ruling of Facebook’s Oversight Board, but important questions remain unanswered about how the social media company’s features promoted the former president’s rhetoric.

Adam Smith reports.

CNBC’s Brian Schwartz reports that Liz Cheney’s top donors will stand with her in her bid for reelection in 2022, despite the action against her by House leadership.

Is there a split in the corporate/business financial backers of the Republican Party between those who support Trumpism and those who do not?

It’s worth remembering that much of the former president’s power is supposed to be in his ability to harness his large base of grassroots supporters and their many small-dollar donations.

Liz Cheney ally Adam Kinzinger has called for GOP members of Congress to go on the record as to how they will vote on the move to replace her as conference chair.

He says donors should take note.

Following Facebook’s Oversight Board decision to uphold a suspension of Donald Trump’s accounts on its platforms, the White House says that social media companies have “a responsibility to the health and safety of all Americans” to combat the spread of mis- and disinformation on their networks.

The White House declined to comment on Facebook’s decision, adding that it is an “independent board’s decision and we’re not going to have any comment on the future of the former president’s social media platform,” press secretary Jen Psaki said.