Shopify closes Trump stores on its platform
Shopify, which hosts shops related to Donald Trump, has taken two of them off its platform. One shop was run by his campaign and sold Trump campaign paraphernalia while the other was the personal branded store of the outgoing President (TrumpStore) and run by The Trump organization.
The action was taken in the wake of the violence in Washington on Wednesday, January 6, 2021. “Shopify does not tolerate actions that incite violence,” said a spokesman for the company. Shopify’s use policy prohibits promotion or support of organizations, platforms, or people that threaten or condone violence to further a cause. This is a reversal of the company’s previous stance which had defended the rights of customers to use the platform as they chose and refused to engage in censorship. The company has softened its position somewhat and now bans shops affiliated with the Proud Boys as well.