“Reagan” star Dennis Quaid responded Tuesday to Facebook's explanation for why it was limiting efforts to boost marketing for its new biopic about the 40th president, suggesting it was unfounded.
Facebook initially did not allow the film's marketing team to promote a post featuring Quaid's photo through a paid ad. Additionally, Facebook suspended the film's official account on at least two occasions due to clips posted of Quaid talking about the film in media appearances.
The sellers said Facebook had told them the post “mention[s]politicians or discuss[s]sensitive topics that could influence public opinion, how people vote, and could impact the outcome of an election or pending legislation.” But, as Quaid pointed out to Fox News’ Trace Gallagher, Reagan died in 2004 and is certainly not eligible for another term in office.
“For some reason, it seems like everything is automated. No one is responsible for it,” Quaid said. “This happened multiple times, in fact, and we were suspended two days in a row… Last time I heard, Reagan hasn't been on the ballot in 40 years and not only that, he's not even eligible to run because he served two terms.”
DENNIS QUAID HOPES SHARING HIS PAST ADDICTION STORY WILL HELP OTHERS: 'LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL AFTERWARDS'
A Facebook spokesperson told Newsweek on Tuesday: “While there are no restrictions on this page that prevent admins from posting, we did identify a handful of ads from this account that were incorrectly disapproved. This happened because our automated systems wrongly determined that content about President Reagan required pre-approval in accordance with our Privacy Policy.” Policies for ads about social issues, elections, or politicsThis was a mistake and the restriction on ads has been lifted.”
Quaid told Gallagher he was confused by Facebook's conduct.
“Reagan” star Dennis Quaid has accused Facebook of censoring promotional material about his upcoming biopic. (Live show)
“I'm actually puzzled because they banned it and they haven't even seen the film,” he said. “So it seems they don't want other people to see it either, I guess. But, well, we'll arrange a screening for them any time now so they can see it for themselves. The film is about America and the 1980s and Ronald Reagan, his life. It's about the fight against communism.”
Quaid also told podcast giant Joe Rogan this week that he is well aware that social media, in his view, is trying to cancel conservative viewpoints.
During the latest episode of “The Joe Rogan Experience,” the actor spoke to the podcast host about how Facebook appears to have been censoring content about his upcoming film about iconic Republican President Ronald Reagan.
“Censorship is affecting us through Facebook,” Quaid told Rogan in the episode that aired Thursday.
After a lengthy discussion about how the media silences conservative opinions, the actor explained how Facebook appears to be targeting ads and blocking media promoting his new film, claiming the content “is an attempt to influence an election.”
Quaid expressed disbelief at the allegation, telling his host: “I mean, the last time I heard, you know, Reagan was on the ticket 40 years ago.”
Ronald and Nancy Reagan, played by Dennis Quaid and Penelope Ann Miller in the upcoming biopic, “Reagan.” (ShowBiz Live)
“Do you think if you made a positive movie about Obama it could sway an election?” Rogan asked.
The actor responded by saying that an Obama movie was made in 2020 and that didn't seem to bother anyone.
DENNIS QUAID TALKS ABOUT HIS FAITH TO GET THROUGH GOOD AND TOUGH TIMES: 'WE ALL NEED THAT'
The “Reagan” star turned the election interference claim around, adding: “The very act of banning or censoring that material, as you were saying, is an attempt to influence an election.”
Quaid acknowledged that after he and the film's production team sent a letter to Facebook complaining about the harassment, the big tech platform admitted it was a “mistake,” though he didn't seem convinced by the excuse.
“Facebook has since said they made a mistake. They said that yesterday because we published a letter to them in a Newsweek article. And they said they made a mistake. Their automated systems had caught it.”
“Oh, how convenient,” Rogan replied sarcastically, before going on to suggest that “rogue” far-left employees might have had something to do with the “mistake.”
“Reagan” will be released in theaters nationwide on August 30.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
