Former President Donald Trump’s media company took legal action against Brazilian Supreme Court justice Alexandre de Moraes in a U.S. court on Wednesday. The lawsuit claims that Moraes unlawfully censored right-wing voices on social media platforms while he considers potential arrests related to allegations of a coup involving Brazil’s former president.
Key Facts
Trump Media & Technology Group, along with the video-sharing service Rumble, contends that Moraes breached the First Amendment by instructing Rumble to eliminate accounts endorsing Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro. The lawsuit, filed in Florida’s Middle District, argues that Moraes’ directives, including previous commands to limit accounts on X (formerly Twitter), are a violation of free speech. They are seeking a judicial declaration that these orders lack enforceability in the U.S. on First Amendment grounds.
In February, Moraes mandated that Rumble block an account belonging to a “political dissident” or face a prohibition in Brazil, potentially incurring a daily fine approximating $9,000. The companies assert that this ruling would impact the visibility of that account in the U.S. and infringe upon the user’s First Amendment rights. Trump Media indicated that a ban on Rumble would disrupt its operations, as the company depends on Rumble for video streaming on its platform, Truth Social. Moraes’ office has yet to respond to requests for comment.
Tangent
Moraes is currently deliberating on charges against Bolsonaro related to his alleged role in attempts to undermine Brazil’s democratic process following his electoral defeat in 2022. The outcome of protests led by Bolsonaro’s supporters culminated in violent incidents in Brasilia and were targeted attempts to instigate a military coup. Prosecutors assert that Bolsonaro and 33 associates plotted to dismantle the democratic system, with plans to assassinate President Lula da Silva and Moraes himself. Bolsonaro firmly denies these claims.
What Is Bolsonaro’s Relationship With Donald Trump?
Bolsonaro forged a closer bond with Trump during his first term, with Trump dubbing him “Tropical Trump.” Trump has endorsed both of Bolsonaro’s presidential campaigns, praising his governance. As the 2022 Brazilian elections approached, Trump remarked on Bolsonaro’s effective leadership and emphasized their friendship. Bolsonaro’s support for Trump has been steadfast, with his son, Eduardo Bolsonaro, publicly engaging with Donald Trump Jr. during the U.S. elections in November 2024. Bolsonaro has expressed hopes that Trump would assist him in pursuing the presidency again in Brazil’s 2026 elections and has reached out to Trump regarding his conflicts with Moraes.
What Has Elon Musk Said About Brazilian Judge Moraes?
In a series of social media exchanges last year, Musk criticized Moraes after he initiated an investigation into X, accusing the platform of hosting accounts that disseminated misinformation. Musk alleged that Moraes had mandated the suspension of accounts belonging to Brazilian journalists and politicians without sufficient justification. He subsequently labeled Moraes’ demands as extreme, comparing them to the “most draconian demands of any country.” Moraes threatened to suspend X within Brazil unless it complied with his orders. The platform faced a temporary suspension in Brazil in August 2024, which was lifted after meeting Moraes’ conditions, including fines and the blocking of certain accounts.
Key Background
Moraes has gained notoriety for issuing several orders targeting social media platforms in response to misinformation. He has been actively involved in scrutinizing Bolsonaro’s far-right supporters, with backing from other Brazilian officials, including Attorney General Jorge Messias, who emphasized the need for urgent regulation of social media. Dissenting views about Moraes’ authority arise, especially regarding free speech protections in the U.S. versus Brazil, as voiced by Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Luis Roberto Barroso.
