Newsweek reporter Kurt Eichenwald said he would be taking a break from Twitter after a Trump supporter sent him a flashing GIF in a tweet that triggered an epileptic seizure.
‘I Am Disgusted’
Eichenwald has been the target of Trump supporters for months now, as his reporting has often centered on negative information surrounding President-elect Donald Trump. Back in October, Eichenwald penned a piece for Newsweek detailing some of the attacks and threats he’s suffered for his criticism of Trump. Among the attacks was a tweet from someone using the handle “Mike’s Deplorable AF” in which “Mike” sent Eichenwald a flashing video with the intent of causing a seizure.
Eichenwald has always been very open about the fact that he has epilepsy, and that he suffers from seizures.
Last night, another Twitter user attacked, and Eichenwald is fighting back.
Following a heated debate with Tucker Carlson on Fox News, Eichenwald tweeted:
As expected, Fox News viewers going after my kids online because of my confrontation with @TuckerCarlson. Classy bunch of fans u have.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 16, 2016
Later that night, anti-Semitic Twitter user @jew_goldstein sent the following tweet to Eichenwald:
Thursday night, after the offending tweet was sent, the following appeared on Eichenwald’s account:
This is his wife, you caused a seizure. I have your information and have called the police to report the assault.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 16, 2016
Eichenwald stated that he will be taking a break from the social media platform while he works with attorneys and law enforcement to suss out the user who posted the GIF.
Twitter has suspended the @jew_goldstein account.
On Friday, Eichenwald posted a series of tweets stating that the only things he will post in the coming days are documents regarding the litigation he is pursuing against the offending Twitter user.
For self-protection, I am taking a short twitter break. I will be spending that time with my lawyers & law enforcement going after 1 of u…
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 16, 2016
Last night, for the second time, a deplorable aware I have epilepsy tweeted a strobe at me with the message "you deserve a seizure' on it…
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 16, 2016
…it worked. This is not going to happen again. My wife is terrified. I am…disgusted. All I will be tweeting for the next few days are…
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 16, 2016
…copies of documents from the litigation, police reports etc. Once we have the lawsuit filed, we will be subpoenaing Twitter for the…
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 16, 2016
…identity of the individual who engaged in this cross-state assault. At this point, the police are attempting to determine if this is…
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 16, 2016
…a federal crime because it appears to be cross state. This kind of assault will never happen again without huge consequences. This…
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 16, 2016
…individual will be going to court, and he will be paying a price. And if any of you others ever try this again, I will make sure it…
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 16, 2016
…happens to you. Online anonymity does not protect criminals. Thats why subpoenas exist. You are facing a criminal investigation and a…
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 16, 2016
…lawsuit. So if any of you others think about trying this "cute" prank, consider the consequences. They will be severe.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 16, 2016
Otherwise, I'll be back once it is clear from the paperwork i will be tweeting that this is not a joke. See you soon.
— Kurt Eichenwald (@kurteichenwald) December 16, 2016
The tweet in question was quite obviously posted with intent to harm Eichenwald, and, sadly, it worked.
Watch the confrontation with Tucker Carlson that sparked this attack here:
Featured image via screenshot from YouTube video
