Report: Shopify removes Trump-affiliated stores

A leading e-commerce platform is reportedly no longer hosting two online shops that sold merchandise related to President Donald Trump.

According to TechCrunch (following up on reporting from the Wall Street Journal), Shopify has removed an online store selling products from the Trump presidential campaign and the official “TrumpStore” outlet from its platform. In a statement to TechCrunch, a Shopify spokesperson made it clear the company is severing its ties with Trump-related retailers due to the Jan. 6 civil unrest incident at the U.S. Capitol.

“Shopify does not tolerate actions that incite violence,” said Shopify. “Based on recent events, we have determined that the actions by President Donald J. Trump violate our Acceptable Use Policy, which prohibits promotion or support of organizations, platforms or people that threaten or condone violence to further a cause. As a result, we have terminated stores affiliated with President Trump.”

Although Shopify CEO Tobias Lutke publicly stated that the company would not “censor” any businesses using its platform in 2017, in 2018 Shopify removed a number of online stores associated with right-wing extremist groups. 

Read the full article here.