Most CTH readers are likely aware of the term “deplatforming.” Unfortunately, the big tech control mechanism to shut down speech & assembly has now arrived on our doorstep.
One week after the 2020 presidential election, The Conservative Treehouse received the following notification:
…”given the incompatibility between your site’s content and our terms, you need to find a new hosting provider and must migrate the site by Wednesday, December 2nd.
What does this mean? It means CTH is being kicked-off the WordPress website hosting platform because the content of our research and discussion does not align with the ideology of those who define what is acceptable speech and what is not.
What was our violation? After ten years of brutally honest discussion, opinion, deep research and crowdsourcing work -with undeniable citations on the events we outline- there is no cited violation of any term of service because CTH has never violated one.
The WordPress company is not explaining the reason for deplatforming because there is no justifiable reason for it. At the same time, they are bold in their position. Perhaps this is the most alarming part; and everyone should pay attention. They don’t care.
Truthful assembly is now the risk. CTH is now too big; with a site reach of 500,000 to a million unique readers each day; and with well over 200,000 subscribers; our assembly is too large, too influential, and presents a risk… we guard the flickering flame.
Ten years of work assembling a library of factual citations and explanations of those discoveries, positions CTH to be a leading force in the rebel alliance push-back. [Heck, that’s why this place was started… that was our purpose: “The Truth Has No Agenda.”] However, that also makes us a target; hence the deplatforming.
Accepting -at its core- this move is all about politics, this is yet another reference point in the tenuous nature of where we stand. There’s no hate-speech on this website; there’s no graphic, violent, foul or abusive speech here. The ‘content‘ of the Treehouse is the same discussion that happens around your kitchen table or back porch discussion with friends. We would never cheapen or insult that conversation with vulgarity because that’s not who we are… because that’s not who our nation is. So consider this next part very carefully…
The ‘content’ is not compatible with WordPress, the world’s largest website and blog hosting service. The content within the largest blog on that global platform is what has become troublesome. “The content”.
The content on these pages is simply an ongoing discussion about freedom with criticism against any political party or entity that diminishes it. Apparently, immediately after the 2020 election, that discussion became problematic. After writing about the COVID-19 agenda,…the notification: the website will be removed.
Let that settle in…. friends and adversaries alike. Think very hard about what exactly is being represented by these actions. That’s the bad news.
So what are we going to do?
First three priorities: #1 is the security of the site content and research files with over a decade of work; #2) ensuring the ability of our assembly to remain; #3) continue the mission.
In the past several days I have begun contacting people to inform and gather counsel on what is the best course of action. On a very positive note, the Rebel Alliance is stronger than ever and no amount of effort by Big Tech is going to be able to weaken the resolve or block the message.
We will take this challenge head-on and we will use this attack against our freedom as fuel to launch CTH 2.0, a new version of The Conservative Treehouse.
I have no idea yet what it will look like… hopefully not too dissimilar to what we are already comfortable with. However, a lot has changed in the technological world since 2010/2011. There are many new and innovative ways to develop, build and create proprietary platforms.
I don’t like anything about having to be forced to do this. Readers here know I prefer comfortable quality that lasts a long time; but there is no alternative. We are being kicked-off WordPress and will have to assemble on a platform that allows free expression, free thought and free ideas to be shared, valued and appreciated.
Additionally, as I look at preliminary options for Treehouse 2.0, one guiding element is priority: I will continue to work earnestly to be deserving of your support and fellowship.
When this site was launched it was for all of us. A refuge, a place of comfort:
However each of us got here, it’s probably a fact that we have the turmoil of those storms in common, perhaps some unease that we could share and always, we also find fresh ground to cover from day to day. We’re developing valuable relationships as we trust one another in our community in the woods. The chatting in the branches encourages, strengthens and equips for some serious walking.
We think the Treehouse is a good armory for those who doing long distance walking for the sake of our nation. We hope you’ll think so, too. Find yourself a good branch….or just pull up a rock to the campfire.
YOU are what matters!
We have shared laughs. We have lost friends. We have lost family together. We have comforted each-other. We have prayed together… and we have sat still together. Sometimes we are not able to find the words of comfort, yet we know it is just as valuable to be there, quietly, steadfast and eliminate the loneliness. We have cried together and rejoiced in each-other’s milestones… This is the source of my resolve.
We have achieved great victories; confronted injustice; done incredible crowdsourcing work that has made lives better, and we have successfully found the truth behind a multitude of frauds and schemes. Let there be no doubt, that will continue.
I have been somewhat quiet lately as I try to figure out what exactly is the next thing to do. Much like our nation, there is trepidation all around us. It is likely that CTH will look different and we may have to engage and learn some new stuff. But it will be OK.
The rebel alliance is strong… and we are angry.
.
Much appreciated. You’re my go to site for honest analysis, and I’d probably feel lost without this community. Be well, God’s speed as we move forward.
I hope that Sundance will soon give us an indication of how much money he needs to transfer the site somewhere else. We all see that there is virtually nothing money can’t buy and that includes a new host for the Tree House.
There are probably hundreds of thousands of us who will donate whatever is needed. Sundance just say the word.
Absolutely. I am sickened to think how these people have completely flipped. I love the site and people will help. Let us know what is needed.
If you must host, you need to make sure your domain and hosting registered offshore.
Dear SD, respectfully SD could we say “SUPRESSED, SHUT DOWN, SILENCED, GAGED, MUZZELED instead of using the Commies infuriating and totally efffd up language of ” DEPLATAFORMED” ?!. We are not some battleship , machine to be taken of or onto a plattaform !
But then you know what? I do think we really are a 70 to 100 million souls BATTLESHIP…THE CTH BATTLESHIP !!! AND WE WILL SURVIVE AND BE YOUR WORST NIGHTMARE. NOT in acting as EFFTIFA or anything stupid like that but we will defend this country and its freedom and all loving patriots.
https://cdn.vanwatech.com – Reach out to these guys. They are the best in free speech and technology.
Which WordPress hosting platform?
If they don’t print it, it didn’t happen. If they don’t post or televise it, it never occurred. That is the maxim they the mainline press are running under. You can go to leaflets or word of mouth but they have that covered under the pandemic scare. Having churches shut down and or limited by large percentages has nothing to do with the pandemic and everything to do with suppressing the truth.
You are right this was the most important election in the Nations history and they the Liberals and their allies on the left (Marxist and Socialist) fought it like it was. No rules, no holes barred, by any means necessary. Most on our side saw it as a game, win or lose, you shake hands, and better luck in 4 more years. They the left are focused on war and coups. They take no prisoners and they mean to keep that process going. Unless we change our attitudes and actions to match, to a war footing then this fight was over before it started. We must win and now. We must put everything into the fight to prove their theft and take no democrat or never Trumper RHINO’s word for anything but a lie. Has anyone thought to access all cameras for blocks around the vote counting centers in question? Much of this theft was cyber and or software initiated but you have plenty of reports of trucks/vans pulling up in the dead of night and or early morning hours dropping off what seem to be ballots. Video footage would help validate but if you don’t move fast it will all miraculously disappear. While time can be a great healer it can also be used to hide the truth.
Sundance, I love this site and I’d like to help any way I can. I found this on Breitbart Comments, I hope it helps since it seems that website hosting platform kicked you off:
Bio-Hazard • 6 hours ago • edited
There’s a bit of mishmash of words here. Did their hosting provider kick them to the curb or did the WordPress publishing platform do it? If it’s the former then all they have to do is find another hosting provider that supports WordPress or they could “self host”. If WordPress canned them then it’s a whole different problem. It would be a totally new redevelopment effort since they wouldn’t be able to use any of the WordPress components. The last time I checked the Terms and Conditions at WordPress they essentially said that you’re on your own except for publishing the obvious such as porno, hate speech, violence, etc. Not sure if I can post links here but you can figure this out; wordpress dot com backslash support backslash user-guidelines backslash
There is also IntenseDebate who has a WordPress plugin to use or not if you prefer.
https://www.intensedebate.com/features
I will watch for the new link and will be willing to contribute to CTH.
Me too.
What a terrible hand you’ve been dealt — you and so many others, and some without warning. I wonder if such actions have been well fought in the courts at a federal level. If not, it’s long past due. God speed in your transition, and thank you for continuing to fight the good fight.
This filthy move by the Left obviously in crony control of WordPress saddens me. I am not always in complete agreement with Sundance, but he is obviously a patriot after my own heart. I mostly get here daily, and never am bored with anything Sundance shows. I for one will contribute when Sundance does a GoFundMe or something where I can send some dough. I am deeply brokenhearted at the election fraud. I am disturbed that we are on the verge of rampant discrimination against we who are Evangelicals, who believe in the Constitution and all our God-blessed heroes, and my dad was well-known after his part in WW2. He would be appalled at 2020, even if he lived to be 103. I am somewhat glad he and mom are with the Lord.
The truth about Sundance is that he ALWAYS investigated things with only the actual truth in mind.
I thought he was going to have a real and fast effect on the DOJ after his interview(s) but they failed us again.
Nothing is going in the right direction lately except that the Lord wins, and the devil (who has his tightening grip on the dems and the left) is still God’s devil. (Martin Luther)
In the end, God wins, and I will be in that army. No member of his army will die the second death.
Amen and thank you, Sundance. Please revive at a place we can find you by 12/2/20!
From 0 to ~ the symbol for infinity at our hosting company. It is a relationship than spans my first domain to their start in the business.
I read the non positive posts. All is an easy fix. From sending mb to China to, well, anything. Para. President Trump quote, under all the vocal cacophony going on, 10/26/2020. “The real abilities we have …. this is something nobody can even understand.” I have to challenge wordpress on their decision. It may prove to be a day they rue. Your needs are huge. There is no true need that can not be met. Offer good. A true friend has sent me quotes from The Treehouse for years. Thank you.
Ha!
What goes around, comes around.
Maybe you shouldn’t have been so quick to ban people yourself?
Get lost troll!
He’s not a troll. He’s just a Biden supporter who sees the writing on the wall, that states are gonna be overturned, and so he’s lashing out. Ignore him.
More like, I was banned from CTH, long ago, for comments making factual assertions that offended the “hate speech police” mob, of which there are many Lording here.
Magically, my comment appeared today. Go figure?
That should explain this community as opposed the ones you likely spend mthe ajority of your time in and are most comfortable inhabiting.
So true. Can’t wait to see what will become of FB, Twitter, and the like!
Tell us how to help…some of us will, not sure about all.
So, does that mean WordPress is going to deplatform the Bill Ayers site it hosts?
The story is spreading like wildfire.
John Solomon has now begun to cover it, too.
https://justthenews.com/accountability/media/wordpress-deplatforms-conservative-treehouse-due-unexplained-content-violation
Pardon if posted elsewhere, but this is pretty fresh from John Solomom at Just the News.
Prayers up, heads up, spirits up. This party’s just getting started.
https://justthenews.com/accountability/media/wordpress-deplatforms-conservative-treehouse-due-unexplained-content-violation
Wow John should’ve done a little homework. Correct me if I’m wrong, but “WordPress” is NOT a hosting company! It’s an open-source system to manage website content. Like others have said and I have asked: what is the actual hosting company that is kicking Conservative Treehouse to the curb? It’s not WordPress. If we knew the actual hosting company we could mount a boycott.
Good point. Let’s hope John’s reporting will lead to having that company’s identity made known.
The only real message that I’ve seen is “given the incompatibility between your site’s content and our terms, you need to find a new hosting provider and must migrate the site by Wednesday, December 2nd.”
FACT: The site is currently hosted by Automattic, with DNS hosted by WordPress. All public knowledge. Both are easily replaceable without any of us even knowing anything happened.
That leads me to believe that this is not de-platforming, rather de-hosting – and is being grossly blown out of proportion.
Move the site to A2 or wherever tomorrow. You’ll get better results using a baker that doesn’t object to your cake design anyhow.
WordPress.org is an open-source system to manage website content. WordPress.com which is probably where this letter came from is a hosting platform along with web design. They are easily confused and are not directly related. WordPress.com I believe is owned by Automatic.
John Solomon is THE ONE who kept reassuring everyone on various FOX programs, that Durham was indeed doing great things, and would come out with indictments ‘shortly’. That was months ago. He kept the hopes of millions up when Durham was doing – what? Nothing? That’s what it looks like. Any praise for John Solomon I find baseless. He was in on the DOJ / AG Barr / John Durham BS.
Emailed you. I am a conservative, and run a cloud hosting company that will be happy to help you out with your hosting needs, and will not kick you off. We work, and deal with a lot of wordpress, and will be happy to even migrate the site for you.
I operate a smaller conservative blog and WordPress has also prevented me from monetizing my blog due to content. Would your company be willing to help a smaller blog like mine out, too? [email protected]
Hi fellow Patriots, another commenter posted that WildWest Domains is the domain host. They are a wholly-owned subsidiary of GoDaddy. GoDaddy is likely the web host. This website is on WordPress.com (the managed proprietary offering of WordPress). This is not the same as WordPress.org which is open-source and far less censorable. CTH needs a new host and should be able to migrate the website over without destroying over the data and such. That’s good news!
And yes, WP is DUMB for pulling this. May God Bless America! Information warfare is certainly here. Don’t delay preparing for your family!
Exactly right! Scre… WordPress.com. I’ve built numerous wordpress sites using the FREE OPEN SOURCE software. Find a new host and FTP the files and MySQL db.
I just found your website through a story about this censorship. I’ve added your site to my news websites that I check directly daily, and look forward to reading more. I ad block faux news, but I make sure to remove that ad blocker for genuine sites, including yours. Stay strong.
Hey, reach out to me and I can set you up with your own self hosted alternative based on the ghost blogging engine within a day. I can also do it with the WordPress engine but it would take a bit longer. Ghost is much faster and better than WordPress and worth changing over to if you don’t have a ton of plugins.
Ok. I give up! How or where do I donate to the Treehouse.? I know it sounds stupid but…….Thanks in advance!
There is an icon in the right column at the top that say “Donate”
I have enjoyed CTH very much and have included my own thoughts many times.
Like an attorney without a Will or an insurance agent without auto coverage, CTH is finding itself without a platform?
CTH has been reporting on many conservatives losing their voice and never considered their own issues?
Must say very disappointed and not very Trump like.
Suck it up.
It’s their loss.
Make your next platform even stronger.
And never ever give up!
There is an article in WND about the CTH deplatforming. A good write up.
Sundance, a naïve question: what does “https://theconservativetreehouse.com/” have to do with “WordPress.com”? Would anything change here if you lose your WordPress website?
“theconservativetreehouse.com” is just a (domain) NAME…but all the information (posts, graphics, videos, etc.) are hosted on the web host which, in this case, is WORDPRESS.
How can I follow?
WND (WorldNetDaily)
Popular conservative site gets deplatformed by internet giant ‘The rebel alliance is strong … and we are angry’
https://www.wnd.com/2020/11/popular-conservative-blog-gets-deplatformed-internet-giant/
* * *
https://www.revolver.news/
REVOLVER
WordPress hosting deplatforms conservative site “The Last Refuge”
https://theconservativetreehouse.com/2020/11/15/the-treehouse-is-deplatformed/
* * *
DB Daily Update
Conservative Treehouse Being De-Platformed
https://dbdailyupdate.com/2020/11/15/conservative-treehouse-being-de-platformed/
* * *
The Spectator
Popular Website the Conservative Treehouse Being Kicked-off WordPress — No Reasons Offered as to Why
https://thespectator.info/2020/11/16/popular-website-the-conservative-treehouse-being-kicked-off-wordpress-no-reasons-offered-as-to-why/
* * *
zPatriot.com
Conservative Treehouse is Deplatformed by WordPress
https://zpatriot.com/2020/11/16/conservative-treehouse-is-deplatformed-by-wordpress/
* * *
Free Republic
Conservative Treehouse Being De-Platformed
https://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/3906418/posts
* * *
American Thinker
The Conservative Treehouse is being de-platformed
By Thomas Lifson
https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2020/11/the_conservative_treehouse_is_being_deplatformed.html
* * *
Ethics Alarms
Oh-oh: WordPress Deplatforms The Conservative Treehouse Blog
https://ethicsalarms.com/2020/11/16/oh-oh-wordpress-deplatforms-the-conservative-treehouse-blog/
* * *
Red State
Popular Website the Conservative Treehouse Being Kicked-off WordPress – No Reasons Offered as to Why
https://redstate.com/shipwreckedcrew/2020/11/16/popular-website-the-conservative-treehouse-being-kicked-off-wordpress-no-reasons-offered-as-to-why-n280644
* * *
GlockTalk: The Leading Firearms Forum
The Conservative Treehouse is Deplatformed…For Thought Crimes
https://www.glocktalk.com/threads/the-conservative-treehouse-is-deplatformed%E2%80%A6for-thought-crimes.1875244/
* * *
Heard it on Drudge this morning!
Wow! Nice work 6079 Smith W. I am quite impressed 😉 Thx.
I checked with my husband, we are both in IT, he is an engineer for a well-known technical company. WordPress management won’t host it but you can create a WordPress instance and host your site yourself. If you have any interest, just let me know. He is a legal immigrant from Canada who became a US citizen. He worked on the Direct TV receiver before it came out years ago. He creates stuff all the time here and makes it work.
“…WordPress management won’t host it but you can create a WordPress instance and host your site yourself…” –> WordPress software is open source GPL and can be downloaded from wordpress.org which is NOT the same as wordpress.com (the problem). However, that’s likely not necessary as many general purpose web hosting providers have turnkey wordpress options and Dreamhost appears to be one of those.
Regarding the replacement web hosting, I recommend Dreamhost (https://www.dreamhost.com), because of the following: Brett Dunst, a Dreamhost company spokesman, on 16 Aug 2017, e-mailed Ars Technica and stated: “Our longstanding policy, one that has been in place since we began in 1997, has been that we will host any website as long as its content is legal in the United States of America… We will take action when approached by law enforcement to remove websites that are operating unlawfully, but we do not otherwise impose restrictions on customer content. As stalwart supporters of the Constitution’s First Amendment, we believe that hosting providers should not be in the business of dictating acceptable content among its users. We are a resource for publishers of all backgrounds, not a clearinghouse for thoughts and opinions (however distasteful some of them may be.)”
“…He creates stuff all the time here and makes it work…” –> The real work is moving the Treehouse from wordpress.com to its new web host and I suspect Sundance will need a lot of help with that. My recommendation is that Sundance immediately make a backup copy of all MYSQL databases and of all files that belong to his account under wordpress.com i to prepare for the move to the new web host.
Don Surber had a great idea…just label the site a porn site, that way no one on the left will try to shut you down.
I guess I’m missing something here but WordPress is free, open source software. I’ve built many WordPress sites and have never paid a dime. You can move your WordPress site wherever you like. Maybe “they” whoever that is can block you from updating to a newer version but who cares… I’ve got many sites running on old WP versions.
WordPress software is free, comes from wordpress.org and can be installed anywhere. WordPress.com is a subsidiary of Automattic (a private corporation), is not the same as wordpress.org and supposedly hosts for free any site that uses wordpress software, except that everyone is now finding out that censorship of anything that exposes the left’s vileness is one of the conditions of having a site hosted on wordpress.com.
The censorship is so completely blatant….in your face…in POTUS face…. the censors have to be terrified to have to silence so blatantly and obviously….you’d have to have zero brain power to not see their fear and PANIC to silence the truth. Badge of honor. We cannot let the truth be silenced. Shitting down speech with masks, cancelling thanksgiving….family, friends and faith getherings….on line speech platforms….my husband sent a text to a friend with a YouTube video. On his friends screen popped up a censor response similar to the Twatter censoring…..CRAZYYYYYY!!!!!!! KEEP TALKING. GO TO THANKSGIVING… GO TO CHURCH…. PRAYER IN THE PUBLIC SQUARE… PEACEFUL PROTESTS. NO FEAR.
I have followed you from Australia for some time and I am appalled by their action, ‘but’,… are we surprised?…. not really,…. America is heading to a very dark place.
Let us know and weeee will follow you.
Aussie.
Sundance and CTH,
Check your paypal account. You have given me a TRUE LAST REFUGE. I don’t think anyone who has enjoyed your WISDOM, COMFORT, RESEARCH and the communtiy you have established, would mind it one damn bit if you held a fundraiser. I’m all in for this site to THRIVE. The alternative is UNTHINKABLE.
This is ridiculous! I am so sick of these leftists! They are pushing the wrong buttons. I don’t think they are prepared for what’s coming.
I am disturbed with this news, and frankly a bit fearful. But as always, I turn my fears to faith and my worries to prayers. Yes, you will be fine. So will I, and all of us. God always causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus!
Sundance, are you sure that you are not dealing with a spoof?
The Terms of Service you referenced are not about hosting.
The Automattic Ads are only about the ads. -platform article. (Per the link referenced in the first cth de-platform article.)
“Automattic Ads Terms of Service: If you have activated ads via Jetpack (“Jetpack Ads”) or have joined our WordAds program (“WordAds”), then the following terms apply.”
Also, I would like to point out:
WordPress is not to be confused with wordpress.com.
WordPress, the content management system (web page builder) is open source, not owned by anyone. WordPress.com owns plugins that can be used in WordPress (the content management system).
Please verify that you are not being spoofed and let us know one way or the other because the concept is alarming. If this is real then I shall spread the word and the web builder forums will ignite.
This news saddens and angers me! Please inform me, if I can help in any manner.
It seems apparent to me that, given the Democrats’ penchant for projection, Biden’s references to Trump as Hitler, and Obama’s suggestions that Trump is a dictator, are huge red flags regrading what they plan to implement against this country. I’m afraid we conservatives will be targeted first, and this de-platforming seems to be the first stages…
After you migrate hosting off wordpress, consider migrating content platforms as well.
Drupal is looking very strong these days. Open source protects people.
I’m making arrangements to move my blog off the site. I’m much smaller and not likely to get hit, but I MUST get moving. I will not pay them one more cent.
CTH does not need to change at all. I run another conservative site, not based on WordPress, and the same thing happened to us. You find another hosting site. Some sites will install the WordPress software as part of your hosting, or you can download the software from WordPress.org, as someone else mentioned. Then you want to shield your host from the public by using an intermediary reverse proxy such as Cloudflare, which also assists with protection against denial of service attacks. Export from your current location, and import to the new location. Then keep your same domain, but point the name server records to the new location. Users will see only a temporary disruption and nothing else changes. Good luck and keep fighting.
WordPress.com has some unclear policies.
WHATEVER IT TAKES.
I’M IN.
God Save the Republic.
Yet another example of how big tech is censoring the good folks in this country who happen to have a different opinion and ideology from the left. In addition, yet another way to further divide our country! This will come to a head! Those 73 million people (and from what I understand it’s more like 80 million) are only going to be pushed so far. They have continuously played by the rules, but just keep pushing!!!
God bless Sundance and the Conservative Treehouse – we are standing by for the call to action.
Please note that WordPress is not WordPress.com: https://robertjacobi.com/breaking-urgent-wordpress-clarification-to-all-media.html
Why are all these deplatforming service providers such unaccountable f’ing cowards?
I thought that this was all because of my crappy computer. Having the same problems throughout the ‘web-platforms’ on the internet. Let us all know where you go with this, I’m ‘in’ and will support wherever you go.
Since I can’t seem to find a direct contact link at wordpress to challenge these deplatforming dirtbags, I resorted to tweeting at them. I’m not expecting a response (of course?).
Sundance I have been a long, long time lurker. CTH is the first thing I read in the morning and the last thing I read at night. I cannot describe the education you and everyone on here have given me. I have shared the site with everyone I know and as I meet someone new I share it with them.
Form my heart ❤️ I thank you. WWG1WGA – please don’t leave me behind.
Where are you going for the next platform. I don’t want to be able to continue to follow your work.