Twitter will fact-check Trump like anyone else after January 20

Social media company flags potentially misleading statements from the president as a world leader, but may remove such posts after he leaves office

A group of friends who live in New York City celebrate after former Vice President Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 U.S. presidential election as they ride down Fifth Avenue in a rented open top double decker bus in Manhattan, New York City, U.S. Reuters

Protesters rally outside the State Capitol building after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 US presidential election, in Lansing, Michigan. Reuters

The US Capitol is seen the day after a presidential election victory was called for Joe Biden, in Washington. Reuters

Supporters of the US president who still refuse to recognize Joe Biden's victory, including local Republican Candidate Doug McLinko (L) and Eamon Daley, 28, (2nd R), kneel as they pray outside Jones Diner in Towanda, Pennsylvania on November 8, 2020. They won't believe it "until the results are certified". AFP

Supporters of US President Donald Trump rally outside the State Capitol building after Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election, in Lansing, Michigan. Reuters

President-elect Joe Biden and his daughter Ashley Biden leave after visiting their family grave at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington, Delaware. AFP

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani addresses the media with the Trump legal team, at the Four Seasons Landscaping company in Philadelphia. Reuters

Two friends take pictures as they gather at the Lincoln Memorial at sunrise, the morning after incumbent President Donald Trump was defeated. AP

President-elect Joe Biden arrives at St. Joseph on the Brandywine Roman Catholic Church in Wilmington, Delaware. AFP

Supporters of President-elect Joe Biden face off over barriers against supporters of President Donald Trump protesting outside the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Philadelphia, Sunday, Nov. 8, 2020, a day after the 2020 election was called for Democrat Biden. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell)

News of Joe Biden's victory in US elections is aired on a digital screen in Dubai Stock Exchange in Dubai, UAE. Reuters

Posters displaying election results hang on the fence outside of St. John's Church near the White House. Reuters

Jordan Johnson poses with a Biden flag outside the White House, in Washington. Reuters

US President-elect Joe Biden arrives with his family for a church service in Wilmington, Delaware. Reuters

US President Donald Trump departs the White House, in Washington. EPA

The White House in Washington the morning after incumbent President Donald Trump was defeated by his Democratic challenger, President-elect Joe Biden AP

In this image made through the window of the press vehicle accompanying the motorcade carrying President Donald Trump, people hold signs at the entrance of Trump National Golf Club. AP

People gather on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial to watch the sunrise the day after incumbent President Donald Trump was defeated by his Democratic challenger, President-elect Joe Biden. AP

Birds fly over the White House at dusk, the day after a presidential election victory was called for former Vice President Joe Biden, in Washington. Reuters

US President Donald Trump will be subject to the same Twitter rules as any other user when president-elect Joe Biden takes office on January 20, the social media company has confirmed.

Twitter places “public interest” notices on some rule-breaking tweets from world leaders that would otherwise be removed. Such tweets from political candidates and elected or government officials are instead hidden by a warning and Twitter takes action to restrict their reach.

But the company said this rule does not apply to former heads of state or prime ministers.

“This policy framework applies to current world leaders and candidates for office, and not private citizens when they no longer hold these positions,” a Twitter spokesman said.

It has added warnings and labels to tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account, including many since Tuesday’s election that made unfounded allegations of voting fraud.

It first hid one of his tweets behind a “public interest” label in May when the president contravened the company’s policy against glorifying violence.

Under Facebook Inc’s policies, it appears that after Mr Biden takes office in January, Mr Trump’s posts will also lose their exemption from review by the site’s third-party fact-checking partners.

Facebook’s online policy says it defines politicians, whose posts are exempt from fact-checking, as candidates running for office, current office-holders and many of their Cabinet appointees, along with political parties and their leaders.

It says: “Former candidates for office or former officials continue to be covered by our third-party fact-checking programme.”

Facebook did not reply to questions about how it would treat Trump’s account.

Mr Biden’s victory on Saturday in Pennsylvania put the Democratic presidential candidate over the threshold of 270 Electoral College votes needed to clinch the presidency. Republican Mr Trump has not conceded and has vowed to challenge the outcome in court.