Why is Paul Gosar’s anime video not being removed from Twitter?
UNITED STATES Representative Paul Gosar made headlines in November 2021 after he posted a controversial video on Twitter.
Now users are wondering why the platform is allowing it to stay after it shows a violent anime scene that ends in the death of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.
Who is Paul Gosar?
Born November 27, 1958, Gosar, 62, is known as a far-right politician who currently serves as the U.S. Rep. for Arizona's 4th congressional district, a position he has held since 2013.
Prior to his career in politics, Gosar was a dentist.
In 2010, he was elected to represent the neighboring 1st congressional district until redistricting.
When Gosar is not working, he can be found at home with his wife Maude and their three children.
What is the Paul Gosar anime video and why is it not being removed from Twitter?
On November 7, 2021, Gosar posted a violent anime video on Twitter that shows his face attached to an anime body running with two swords in his hands towards a picture of President Joe Biden after he violently kills Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez by slicing the back of her neck.
The video, which has already gained over 3.3 million views, has sparked criticism on the social media platform but Twitter states that it will remain up because "it may be in the public's interest."
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"This Tweet violated the Twitter Rules about hateful conduct. However, Twitter has determined that it may be in the public's interest for the Tweet to remain accessible," Twitter's disclaimer above the post states.
Twitter's help center states that their definition of public interest is content that "contributes to understanding or discussion of a matter of public concern."
As a result of these protocols, in rare cases, Twitter will "choose to leave up a Tweet from an elected or government official that would otherwise be taken down," in order for them to be able to discuss their action and statements.
The video was first posted on Gosar's official account and then reshared on his personal account.
"The creativity of my team is off the hook," he wrote.
What have people said about the video?
After it was posted, many took to the platform to demand the video be taken down, some even calling for the removal of Gosar's account, much like Twitter did earlier in the year with Donald Trump following the Capitol Riots.
"I sincerely hope that the President, Vice President and the White House will officially condemn @RepGosar for posting an animated video showing him killing @AOC," author Don Winslow wrote.
"I hope @Twittersecurity will remove @RepGosar account."
Ocasio-Cortez later addressed the video calling Gosar "creepy," and stating that he would "face no consequences" as she believes House Minority Leader, Kevin McCarthy, will excuse his behavior.
"So while I was en route to Glasgow, a creepy member I work with who fundraises for Neo-Nazi groups shared a fantasy video of him killing me," she wrote.
"And he'll face no consequences bc @GOPLeader cheers him on with excuses. Fun Monday! Well, back to work bc institutions don't protect woc."
Among the thousands of responses, many echoed both Winslow and Ocasio-Cortez's statements.
Congress member Ted Lieu rushed to her defense as well stating that in any workplace in America, "if a coworker made an anime video killing another coworker, that person would be fired," after calling his actions "dangerous."
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