Following his ban from a bevy of social media outlets for inciting violence, former President Donald Trump has seen a significantly diminished audience for his election lies, petty insults, and incoherent rants.
After at least one failed attempt to form his own social media outlet, Trump is now suing Facebook, Twitter, and Google's YouTube—often referred to collectively as "Big Tech"—for what he says is censorship of conservative voices and ideas.
Trump said in a press conference announcing the lawsuit, which was filed with the U.S. District Court of the Florida Southern District:
"Our case will prove this censorship is unlawful, it's unconstitutional and it's completely un-American."
Trump accused the companies of misusing Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which endows social media outlets with broad liability protections from the actions of their users. Ironically enough, a repeal of Section 230—which Trump supported as President—would likely result in more aggressive "censorship" of social media posts, because the outlets hosting them would no longer be shielded from liability.
While lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called for Big Tech companies to be broken up, Trump and his supporters insist that Big Tech works with Democrats to silence conservatives—a position largely opposed to reality.
But like his demonization of Democrats and journalists, Trump's scathing disinformation on how Big Tech operates has made the entities a favorite enemy of his supporters.
That's probably why Trump and his fellow Republicans began fundraising for the lawsuit immediately.
And there it is: Trump fundraising appeal off his lawsuit already outpic.twitter.com/4KUaokjezH— Nick Corasaniti (@Nick Corasaniti) 1625673845
GOP fundraisers are having a field day with the Trump social media lawsuit. Also, peep the NRSC sticking with \u201c5X MATCH\u201d while Trump\u2019s JFC switches to \u201c5X-IMPACT\u201dpic.twitter.com/GFV3kxZZVj— Andrew Solender (@Andrew Solender) 1625677163
And the first fundraising missive related to the Trump lawsuit comes from the NRCC at 11:39 a.m., before the event is even overpic.twitter.com/rBfCcETq36— Shane Goldmacher (@Shane Goldmacher) 1625672576
One email implores subscribers:
"Please contribute IMMEDIATELY to INCREASE your impact by 500% and to get your name on the Donor List President Trump sees!"
Another:
"I am SUING Facebook & Twitter for UNCONSTITUTIONAL CENSORSHIP. For a short time, 5X-IMPACT on all gifts! Donate NOW[.]"
Trump's critics decried the effort as yet another grift—one that his adoring supporters would fall for.
#DonTheCon moves to his next ploy to get money from suckers.https://twitter.com/NYTnickc/status/1412804622591406080\u00a0\u2026— Annie S (@Annie S) 1625678323
Nice it doesn't say what people are contributing to exactly\n\nwonder if they'd be shocked to know it's not his lawsuit against Facebook and Twitterhttps://twitter.com/NYTnickc/status/1412804622591406080\u00a0\u2026— kj martin - Shut the F### up Stephen (@kj martin - Shut the F### up Stephen) 1625679079
\u201cThere\u2019s a sucker born every minute\u201d attributed to PT Barnum, and \u201cA fool and his money are soon parted\u201d\u2026Thomas Tusser \n5x over. The Big Con gets biggerhttps://twitter.com/nytnickc/status/1412804622591406080\u00a0\u2026— K L Kemp (@K L Kemp) 1625679734
Guys, I\u2019m thinking it might all just be a giant grift.https://twitter.com/nytnickc/status/1412804622591406080\u00a0\u2026— D.B. Miller (@D.B. Miller) 1625679643
Trump supporters: Take my money!https://twitter.com/nytnickc/status/1412804622591406080\u00a0\u2026— Spark (@Spark) 1625679581
It's always a scam, con, grift. And you know, I used to feel bad people fell for it. I don't anymore, let them bankrupt themselves for this idiot and then what does he do?https://twitter.com/NYTnickc/status/1412804622591406080\u00a0\u2026— \u043c\u0e40\u0e23\u0e23 \u2113\u00fd\u0438\u044d\u2122 (@\u043c\u0e40\u0e23\u0e23 \u2113\u00fd\u0438\u044d\u2122) 1625679466
They were hardly surprised.
Color me shocked.https://twitter.com/NYTnickc/status/1412804622591406080\u00a0\u2026— Karen by birth, not behavior (@Karen by birth, not behavior) 1625679702
Who didn't see this coming.— David Cole \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 (@David Cole \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6 \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde6) 1625674076
Color me shocked.https://twitter.com/NYTnickc/status/1412804622591406080\u00a0\u2026— Karen by birth, not behavior (@Karen by birth, not behavior) 1625679702
The America First Policy Institute is supporting the lawsuit.
Jane Rosenberg
Jane Rosenberg
@arianagrande/Instagram
@arianagrande/Instagram