(Abdul–Rahman Oladimeji Bello, Headline USA) Popular video-sharing service YouTube recently took down James O’Keefe’s interview with Democrat presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on claims that the video violated the platform’s guidelines.
The video, posted on Twitter and Youtube on Friday, featured the two luminaries as they discussed lawsuits, the presidency, political tools and leverages, amongst many others.
O’Keefe posted the video on Twitter with the caption, “My full interview with Presidential Candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr.” He also added the interview title “Lawsuits, Anthony Fauci, Fear, FBI, Becoming Commander-in-Chief, and more.” The post immediately went viral on Twitter, garnering views from interested parties worldwide.
However, YouTube deleted the video, noting, “This video has been removed for violating YouTube’s Community Guidelines.”
At what point can something like this legally be called election interference? I know YouTube can ban any normal person for pretty much anything… But this is a presidential candidate. Aren't they in a special category? Isn't there historical precedent for media as it relates?🤷♂️
— CJP (@mrtimer2022) July 28, 2023
The blatant censorship sparked controversy amongst viewers, who questioned how the tech giants manage content on their platforms and slammed YouTube for pulling the video.
Other social media users have also questioned how this might be an act of election interference, especially as Kennedy, who remains a controversial figure amongst Democrats because of his stand on issues like vaccines and censorship, continues to climb in primary polling.
“At what point can something like this legally be called election interference? I know YouTube can ban any normal person for pretty much anything,” wrote on commentator. “But this is a presidential candidate. Aren’t they in a special category? Isn’t there a historical precedent for the media as it relates?”
#YouTube removed @RobertKennedyJr interview
with @JamesOKeefeIII for
"violation YouTube's community Guidelines"YouTube #Censors #Speech
That the establishment doesn't
want you to hearWhy is @YouTube
acting like the #CCP?https://t.co/rlQjb2JzCl pic.twitter.com/E9oAuyIVRx— American Values 2024 (@AmValues2024) July 28, 2023
O’Keefe also took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to highlight the censorship, challenging the reason behind YouTube’s removal.
“YouTube removed this video for ‘medical misinformation’. Thankfully, you can still watch it here on the public square,” he wrote.
“The most honest, clear, on point interview I have ever seen in decades,” replied one X commentator. “Today we definitely need more people like RFK.”
