Omar asks Twitter what it's doing in response to Trump spreading 'lies that put my life at risk'

By Zack Budryk - 09/18/19 12:10 PM EDT
 
Omar asks Twitter what it's doing in response to Trump spreading 'lies that put my life at risk'
© Greg Nash

Rep. Ilhan OmarIlhan OmarBiden, Klobuchar to address AIPAC via video Bill banning menthol in cigarettes divides Democrats, with some seeing racial bias Progressive group leader describes why Warren would be better than Sanders MORE (D-Minn.) asked Wednesday what Twitter would do about “lies that put my life at risk” after President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump endorses former White House physician Ronny Jackson for Congress Newly released emails reveal officials' panic over loss of credibility after Trump's Dorian claims Lindsey Graham thanks Trump, bemoans 'never-ending bull----' at South Carolina rally  MORE promoted a false claim that a video of her and Rep. Ayanna PressleyAyanna PressleyHome state candidates risk losing primaries Overnight Health Care — Presented by American Health Care Association — California monitoring 8,400 people for coronavirus | Pence taps career official to coordinate response | Dems insist on guardrails for funding Bill banning menthol in cigarettes divides Democrats, with some seeing racial bias MORE (D-Mass.) dancing was filmed on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

“This is from a CBC event we hosted this weekend to celebrate black women in Congress. The President of the United States is continuing to spread lies that put my life at risk. What is Twitter doing to combat this misinformation?” Omar tweeted after Trump quote-tweeted a tweet from user Terrence K. Williams falsely claiming the Sept. 13 video was taken on Sept. 11.

The clip of the two dancing to Lizzo’s “Truth Hurts” initially went viral on Saturday after it was first tweeted, with the rapper and singer, who, like Omar, is from Minneapolis, retweeting it.

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After the quote-tweet from the president, which Williams also retweeted, Williams apparently deleted the original. The Hill has reached out to Williams for comment. A Twitter spokesperson confirmed to The Hill that the tweet was not deleted as a result of any action by the company.

Trump previously retweeted Williams when he suggested the Clintons had ordered the killing of financier and accused sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.

Omar also retweeted several other accounts noting the lie, including CNN’s Jake TapperJacob (Jake) Paul TapperAcosta to Trump: CNN's 'record on delivering the truth is a lot better than yours sometimes' Murphy: No concerns with Sanders on gun policy Dean says he's not worried Sanders would harm down-ballot Democratic candidates MORE, Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersMSNBC's Chris Matthews confuses South Carolina Democratic Senate candidate with GOP's Tim Scott Trump surveys South Carolina supporters on preferred Democratic opponent Watch live: Trump holds a rally in South Carolina MORE (I-Vt.) and Sirius XM host Zerlina Maxwell.

Death threats against Omar previously spiked after Trump tweeted a video splicing images of the 9/11 attacks with comments Omar made saying that in the wake of the attacks, all Muslims were considered suspect because “some people did something,” which prompted outrage on the right and accusations of trivializing the terrorist attacks.

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Omar later doubled down on calls for Twitter to take action against the president's account, tweeting: "Enough! Twitter needs to hold this #Lyingpresident accountable."

Tags Twitter Ayanna Pressley Bernie Sanders Donald Trump Jake Tapper Ilhan Omar death threats Trump tweets