Facebook Removes Trump Campaign Ads Linking Refugees to COVID-19

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Facebook Removes Trump Campaign Ads Linking Refugees to COVID-19

Social media platform Facebook announced Wednesday it had removed advertisements created by US President Donald Trump’s reelection campaign that claimed – without evidence – accepting refugees from abroad would increase the risk of the novel coronavirus spreading in the US.

The since-deleted, 15-second ads started running on the platform with at least 38 different versions on Tuesday before Facebook caught wind of the video clips and opted to remove them from the site.

The source-free ads claimed that accepting refugees into the US would increase Americans’ risk of contracting COVID-19, and that policies put forth by Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden would welcome refugees from Syria, Somalia and Yemen by “700%.” 

A longer, 30-second version of the advertisement can still be viewed on Facebook’s Ad Library; however, it is inactive and not being run across Facebook products. “Joe Biden is dangerous for America,” the ad says in bold text toward the end.

The ad, which seemed most popular among men and women aged between 25 and 34, is estimated to have cost the campaign at most about $1,000.

Not too long after the ads were pulled from Facebook, Trump campaign spokesperson Courtney Parella shot back, reiterating that Biden’s border and asylum policies would expose “Americans to further risk of exposure to COVID-19.”

The department notes that the proposal “reflects the administration’s continuing commitment to prioritize the safety and well-being of Americans, especially in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.”

The proposal is due to be reviewed by congressional lawmakers.

Sourse: sputniknews.com

Facebook Removes Trump Campaign Ads Linking Refugees to COVID-19

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