In a move that's likely to trigger an outpouring of rage from the company's Silicon Valley milieu, Twitter has frozen some features of Rose McGowan's account after she tweeted "You Lie" at Ben Affleck following the latter's apology for groping actress Hilarie Burton during an appearance on "TRL" in 2003.
The actress, who is at the center of the storm of sexual misconduct allegations against producer Harvey Weinstein, took to her Instagram and Facebook accounts to relay the news of her suspension, writing cryptically that: “TWITTER HAS SUSPENDED ME. THERE ARE POWERFUL FORCES AT WORK. BE MY VOICE. #ROSEARMY.”
I acted inappropriately toward Ms. Burton and I sincerely apologize
— Ben Affleck (@BenAffleck) October 11, 2017
You want to play let's play #ROSEARMY pic.twitter.com/uqd26Z78gc
— rose mcgowan (@rosemcgowan) October 10, 2017
She added a screenshot from a message from Twitter telling her that she had violated their terms of service and she would be locked out for 12 hours.
Since the bombshell sexual harassment, assault and rape allegations about Weinstein were reported by the New York Times and The New Yorker, McGowan has excoiated Weinstein and others, like Affleck, whom she believes knew about Weinstein's disgraceful behavior but did nothing to stop it or hold Weinstein accountable.
The NYT reported in its original expose that McGowan reached a $100,000 settlement with Weinstein after an encounter in a hotel room at the Sundance Film Festival in 1997.
Previously, Twitter has mostly reserved suspensions and bans like this for conservative journalists and commentators. But the company's motive in its decision to crack down on a famous actress speaking out about sexual abuse is not know. Representatives for the company have not yet commentated on McGowan's suspension.
Meanwhile, the FBI is reportedly investigating Weinstein - who recently landed in Europe for rehab - amid fears that he may be planning a Roman Polanski-style evasion of charges by remaining in Europe.
Evidence of Affleck's hypocrisy has proliferated online...