Twitter Suspends GOP Senator For ‘Graphic’ Profile Picture, Musk Personally Helps Restore Account

Twitter suspended the account of Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) for violating the company’s policy against displaying “graphic violence” in profile pictures.

What was the ‘graphic image?’

A picture of Daines posing with his wife and an antelope they killed on a hunting trip.

The social media platform claimed that the image violated “Twitter rules.”

Specifically, for: “Violating our rules against graphic violence or adult content in profile images.”

.@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. pic.twitter.com/gy4XIu3cv0

— Rachel Dumke (@RachelDumke9) February 7, 2023

Twitter reinstated Daines’ account shortly after the suspension.

According to Daines, Elon Musk personally reached out to him to resolve the issue.

Daines said in a statement:

“I am grateful Elon Musk reached out to me to resolve this issue and am glad that he recognizes that free speech is a bedrock of our country, and acted quickly to reinstate my Twitter account after being made aware of its suspension. The initial ban over the profile photo of my wife and me after a successful Montana antelope hunt was disappointing given the fact that it is no different than photos Montanans share on social media every day. It’s our Montana way of life and we are proud of it. I am glad Elon Musk recognizes this. The rest of the country benefits from the acceptance of diverse thoughts and values, including Montana values.” 

Daines’ statement clarified the issue was resolved Tuesday afternoon.

My full statement on my Twitter suspension and reinstatement here: pic.twitter.com/TvgyMd8yeX

— Steve Daines (@SteveDaines) February 7, 2023

“This is being fixed. Policy against showing blood in profile pic is being amended to ‘clearly showing blood without clicking on the profile pic.’ The intent is to avoid people being forced to see gruesome profile pics,” Musk tweeted.

This is being fixed. Policy against showing blood in profile pic is being amended to “clearly showing blood without clicking on the profile pic”.

The intent is to avoid people being forced to see gruesome profile pics.

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 7, 2023

“Going forward, Twitter will be broadly accepting of different values, rather than trying to impose its own specific values on the world,” Musk said in another tweet.

Going forward, Twitter will be broadly accepting of different values, rather than trying to impose its own specific values on the world

— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) February 7, 2023