A Republican candidate’s Twitter account has been restored after the platform’s new owner vowed to look into the restriction.
Jenna Ellis, a conservative commentator at Newsmax, tweeted a screenshot of an email sent out by Mark Finchem, Republican candidate for Arizona’s secretary of state.
“Twitter has blocked my account from speaking truth with one week left until the election,” the email read.
It went on, “They are trying to put their thumb on the scales of this election. Tag Elon Musk and tell him to unban me right now.”
“I am the Secretary of State nominee in a swing state running against the criminal Soros-funded candidate,” Finchem added.
Finchem’s account is in “read-only” mode, so it looks like it’s still active, but he cannot tweet or retweet, apparently for up to a week or “ it could take longer.” Unclear what lead to the suspension. pic.twitter.com/OrH6O1El1N
— Jenna Ellis (@realJennaEllis) October 31, 2022
Ellis tagged Elon Musk and wrote, “This shouldn’t happen a week before the election!”
In a reply, she shared a separate screenshot which stated Finchem’s account was in “read-only” mode after a “careful review” found he violated Twitter’s rules.
“Your account is temporarily in read-only mode, which means you can’t Tweet, Retweet, or Like content. Most accounts regain full access in a week, but it could take longer,” the notice read.
Within twelve minutes of her last tweet in the thread, Musk replied, “Looking into it.”
Looking into it
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) October 31, 2022
Hours later, Finchem tweeted, “I am back……..”
I am back…….. https://t.co/HsMbcS175g
— Mark Finchem for AZ Senate (@RealMarkFinchem) November 1, 2022
The reversal comes just days after the billionaire businessman completed his takeover bid of Twitter.
Musk has vowed to restore free speech on the platform while preventing it from becoming a “hellscape.”
His goal of loosening restrictions has sparked concerns misinformation could surge on the platform.
Shortly after taking over the company, Musk fired several top executives, including Vijaya Gadde who conservatives labeled Twitter’s “chief censor.”