Trump Media Group Sues Brazilian Supreme Court Justice... "Violation of Press Freedom"

Questioning the Suspension Order of U.S.-Based Accounts

Donald Trump, former President of the United States, founded media company Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), which has filed a lawsuit against a Brazilian Supreme Court justice, alleging infringement of freedom of the press.

AP Yonhap News

On the 19th (local time), according to AP News and Brazilian media outlet G1, TMTG submitted a complaint to the U.S. Federal District Court in Tampa, Florida, where the corporation is based, claiming the illegality of online post censorship and suing Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. This lawsuit in the U.S. was filed amid the Brazilian prosecutors indicting 33 people, including former President Jair Bolsonaro and former officials, on charges related to an election denial coup and conspiracy to assassinate Brazilian President Luiz In?cio Lula da Silva and Justice Moraes.

The lawsuit also involves the global video platform 'Rumble,' which is mainly used by supporters of former President Trump. TMTG and Rumble claim that "Justice Moraes violated the freedom of the press protection clause guaranteed by law by ordering the suspension of certain users' U.S.-based accounts."

The complaint lists the person whose account was suspended as 'Political Opponent A,' but G1 reported that he is known to be a fervent supporter of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

Although TMTG is not a platform directly sanctioned by the Brazilian Supreme Court, AP News reported that the lawsuit was filed because the court's measures against Rumble could also affect TMTG.

Justice Moraes is a legal professional who has recently been in conflict with Elon Musk, owner of the social networking service X (formerly Twitter) and head of the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Last year, Justice Moraes decided to delete some X accounts and posts citing the crackdown on fake news, which Musk opposed, calling Moraes "the worst criminal disguised as a judge" and "a pseudo-judge who deserves impeachment."

However, facing the risk of being banned in Brazil, a country with a population of over 200 million, X complied with all Supreme Court orders, including paying outstanding fines and appointing legal representatives. Justice Moraes later issued an order approving the resumption of X's operations, temporarily resolving the situation.

President Lula said at a press conference that "the presumption of innocence should apply to everyone," but added, "If the defendants are guilty, they must pay the price."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.