Sen, Ted Cruz’s concern over what he saw as “something REALLY wrong with Twitter’s algorithms” was met with mockery by his Democratic colleagues.
The Texas Republican noted the peculiarity in the system as the social media platform appeared to keep directing him to follow Democrats in Congress rather than others in his party.
“Is it just me or is there something REALLY wrong with Twitter’s algorithms? Because I follow Steve Scalise and several other GOP members of Congress, I get recommended tweets from Ted Deutch … Sheldon Whitehouse … Steve Cohen … Chuck Schumer … and Chris Murphy?” Cruz tweeted Sunday, referring to Democrat lawmakers.
Is it just me or is there something REALLY wrong with Twitter’s algorithms? Because I follow Steve Scalise and several other GOP members of Congress, I get recommended tweets from Ted Deutch … Sheldon Whitehouse … Steve Cohen … Chuck Schumer … and Chris Murphy? ? pic.twitter.com/71TWk0PklB
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 9, 2019
Cruz’ comments came on the heels of President Trump warning Twitter it was making a “giant mistake” in banning conservative voices.
The senator was quickly met with ridicule as liberals mocked his implication that there was soemthing nefarious going on with Twitter’s algorithm. MSNBC producer Kyle Griffin suggested one answer to Cruz’ question.
You are a member of Congress and the algorithm is suggesting other members of Congress. That seems pretty straightforward.
— Kyle Griffin (@kylegriffin1) June 9, 2019
Former writer at Media Matters for America, Oliver Willis, offered his take.
heres who twitter recommends you follow if you go on @tedcruz‘s page, almost like it knows he’s a republican and people who view his acct are probably republicans pic.twitter.com/OlnvYJq9zJ
— Oliver Willis (@owillis) June 9, 2019
California Democrat Rep. Ted Lieu chimed in with his unsolicited two-cents.
There must be a strike force of Twitter employees whose sole job is to mess with Senator Cruz.
Another explanation is that Twitter figures out possible relations between users, since the below are all in Congress or tweet about politics. But that explanation is so boring. https://t.co/oFtb7RbNOw
— Ted Lieu (@tedlieu) June 10, 2019
Others also joined the pile-on.
Because republicans members of Congress are the only true oppressed group. Or maybe the algorithm just recommends members of Congress?
— Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) June 9, 2019
yes Ted that slippery algorithm is showing Congressional tweets to a member of Congress looking at US Congress-themed tweets, you’ve really stumbled onto something here https://t.co/kxq16foCaG
— shauna (@goldengateblond) June 9, 2019
“Could be they are all members of Congress?” Sen. Brian Schatz asked, prompting a reply from Cruz.
Could be they are all members of Congress?
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) June 9, 2019
In a follow-up tweet, the GOP senator shot back by noting how Twitter only does this in “one DIRECTION.”
Really, Brian?? You can’t think of any other similarities btwn them? And differences w/ Scalise? Twitter only does this in one DIRECTION. In fact, let’s try this experiment: take a pic of Twitter’s recs to you (a Dem senator) RIGHT NOW. I’ll give $100 if it recs even 2 of 5 Rs. https://t.co/1SnQnB6Nlp
— Ted Cruz (@tedcruz) June 9, 2019
The Hawaii Democrat took Cruz up on the challenge but offered no screenshot of his findings.
It had Schumer Blumenthal Mcarthy Meadows Scalise. I think, no snark, it’s just “you like following politicians, here are some more politicians.”
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) June 9, 2019
Others on the left continued roasting Cruz.
Senator @tedcruz that’s simply not true.
Twitter is filled with tweets from liberal folks who wonder why they get conservative recommendations. Take a minute to search and you’ll find plenty of examples.
It’s not just in one direction. https://t.co/pXDF8Bt2Et
— Yashar Ali ? (@yashar) June 9, 2019
The two accounts most frequently placed into my feed are Charlie Kirk and Donald Trump Jr.
But, as always, Ted Cruz is the real victim here. https://t.co/jfxfiASvvl
— Matt Fuller (@MEPFuller) June 9, 2019
Schatz suggested he and Cruz work together at addressing “algorithmic transparency,” though he admitted he never considered there was a “political conspiracy.”
I get recommendations to follow all kinds of people with whom I disagree, and it never occurred to me that it would be a political conspiracy. But there are some legit issues related to algorithmic transparency that we could work on together. https://t.co/NyO3ieZ28Q
— Brian Schatz (@brianschatz) June 9, 2019
Top executives for Google, Facebook, and YouTube testified before the House Judiciary Committee last year on alleged censorship of conservative content.
Cruz has previously criticized the social media platforms, echoing sentiments repeated by Trump on Sunday.
Trump’s Sunday warning to Twitter: ‘You are making a Giant Mistake!’ https://t.co/A8fK1gYi70 pic.twitter.com/irUhNqTshH
— Conservative News (@BIZPACReview) June 9, 2019
“Twitter should let the banned Conservative Voices back onto their platform, without restriction,” Trump tweeted Sunday. “It’s called Freedom of Speech, remember. You are making a Giant Mistake!”
DONATE TO BIZPAC REVIEW
Please help us! If you are fed up with letting radical big tech execs, phony fact-checkers, tyrannical liberals and a lying mainstream media have unprecedented power over your news please consider making a donation to BPR to help us fight them. Now is the time. Truth has never been more critical!
Frieda@bizpacreview.com
Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
- ‘Are we next?!’ Kilmeade breaks down shady FBI actions, concludes Trump justified in his outrage - August 30, 2022
- Grandfather throws down with aggressive kangaroo that attacked his dogs, but who really won? - June 4, 2022
- ‘My name is Dr. Robinson’: Proud abortionist snaps at Chip Roy calling her ‘Miss’ during hearing - May 19, 2022
Comment
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.
