A federal judge in San Francisco on Friday dismissed a lawsuit by former President Donald Trump challenging his Twitter ban.
In his judgment, Judge James Donato wrote that Mr. Trump failed to show that Twitter violated his right to free speech protected by the First Amendment to the US Constitution. Freedom of expression does not apply to private companies, he explained. Mr. Trump could not prove that Twitter was acting as a state actor on behalf of Democrats.
“The amended lawsuit is a catch-all of allegations that Democratic congressmen wanted Mr. Trump banned from Twitter for spouting content and opinions that were inconsistent with Trump’s pet ideas. these legislators. However, the comments of a handful of elected officials are far from representing a set of decisions for which the State would be responsible. »
Donald Trump had filed lawsuits against Twitter, Facebook and YouTube in July 2021, claiming the companies unlawfully censored him.
These platforms had suspended Mr. Trump’s account after the insurrectionary riot in Congress on January 6, 2021. Supporters of the defeated president had tried to prevent Congress from certifying the victory of his opponent Joe Biden in the presidential election. Businesses worried that Mr. Trump would further incite his troops to violence.
The ruling comes as Elon Musk, the richest man on the planet, is set to take over Twitter for $44 billion. Observers wonder if the latter, who defines himself as an uncompromising defender of freedom of expression, will reintegrate Mr. Trump into the social network.
Mr. Trump continues to repeat his lies about his electoral defeat. He launched his own platform, Truth Social. He said last week that he would never return to Twitter, even if he was allowed to.
Mr. Trump’s attorney has not yet responded to a request for comment.
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