GOP Sen. Rand Paul says he will no longer post videos to YouTube, unless those videos are to criticize the platform for not letting him spread misinformation about COVID-19 or let viewers know where they can find his new videos, according to the Bowling Green Republican himself.
Paul, who has sparked widespread condemnation over his comments about the pandemic and has been hit with more than 50 complaints against him with the Kentucky Board of Medical Licensure, is blaming YouTube for it.
“Today I begin my exodus from Big Tech, starting with the worst censor of all, YouTube,” Paul said in a release, according to The Courier-Journal. “As a libertarian leaning Senator, I think private companies have the right to ban me if they want to, however, those of us who believe that truth comes from disputation and that the marketplace of ideas is a prerequisite for innovation should shun the close-minded censors and take our ideas elsewhere, which is exactly what I’m doing.”
Paul went on to call YouTube “dangerous” for banning some of his videos, particularly those promoting anti-mask propaganda.
“Over the last year, YouTube has continued to wage its dangerous, anti-progress of science war against free speech, choosing to act in lockstep with government and ban videos posted by Dr. Paul that dared to contradict the government’s position,” it stated.
Naturally, social media users had a lot to say about Paul’s announcement.
I’ll be posting all videos that have been censored by YouTube on https://t.co/1sAnMwUZeq! https://t.co/ynkdfJnCki
— Senator Rand Paul (@RandPaul) January 3, 2022
Please do quit all social media so lives will be saved!
— sergio (@sergio59380974) January 3, 2022
Bye Felicia
— Is Anyone Left? (@is_anyone_left) January 3, 2022
Here's Rand Paul a few months ago insisting it's impossible to get a breakthrough infection from a future variant.https://t.co/kECJsfDvSJ
— Bert Gilfoyle (@bert_gilfoyle) January 3, 2022
This isn't an airport you don't have to announce your departure
— Patrick (@Patrick57200851) January 4, 2022
Who actually watches a Rand Paul video?!?
Probably more entertaining to watch paint dry. 🤷♂️— Sim Brubaker (@BrubakerSim) January 4, 2022
— Donna Butters (@dmbutterz) January 3, 2022
CYA. Sure gonna miss ya! NOT!!
— James (@jpott_pt) January 3, 2022
Oh no…. I was hoping you were quitting the conspiracy theories.
— pamela prewitt (@pamp6394) January 3, 2022
They are a private company, they have terms of condition they say you broke. They aren't a government entity so aren't bound by the first amendment. How much of a kickback are you getting from posting elsewhere to help boost their viewership?
— Michael Flotten (@Flottdog) January 4, 2022
Rand Paul: I'm announcing on social media that I'm going to quit some other social media b/c social media makes me sad. Come join me on this other social media so I can continue to peddle misinformation.
— Your Inner Monologue (@__innerVoice__) January 4, 2022
How about you help your state desk with it's record high poverty rates instead.
— DJ Jones (@DJJones62870015) January 3, 2022
Wow. You seem to have so much time on your hands. I thought you would be out campaigning against aid to the Colorado wildfire victims by now
— Brendaj (@Brendaj422) January 3, 2022
Who are these people who spend their spare time watching Rand Paul videos🤣
— Marvelous (@PaulDuggan11) January 3, 2022
