Facebook removes pro-Trump group for false election claims, incitement

'In line with the exceptional measures that we are taking during this period of heightened tension, we have removed the Group 'Stop the Steal,' which was creating real-world events,; said Facebook

Facebook Inc on Thursday said it had taken down a rapidly growing group where supporters of US President Donald Trump posted misinformation, violent rhetoric and organised protests against the baseless claim that Democrats were stealing the election. The group had ballooned to more than 365,000 members in one day.

"In line with the exceptional measures that we are taking during this period of heightened tension, we have removed the Group 'Stop the Steal,' which was creating real-world events," said a Facebook spokeswoman said in a statement.

"The group was organised around the delegitimization of the election process, and we saw worrying calls for violence from some members of the group.

"The "Stop the Steal" group, which called for "boots on the ground to protect the integrity of the vote," had prepared for Facebook to take action, directing new members to an email sign-up page "in the event that social media censors this group.

"The group was run by the Trump action group Women for America First. The non-profit organized protests against Covid-19 restrictions and supported Trump during his impeachment hearing. An email and a telephone message left with Women for America First was not immediately returned.