Media companies challenge Brazilian justice in U.S. court
Trump-backed Trump Media & Technology Group and the video-sharing site Rumble have taken legal action against Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes in a U.S. federal court, claiming his actions infringe upon American laws and principles.
According to Fox News, the lawsuit, filed in Tampa, accuses Justice Moraes of overstepping boundaries and unlawfully censoring political discourse on social media platforms based in the United States.
The plaintiffs argue that Justice Moraes's orders threaten free speech and primarily impact American operations, extending beyond his jurisdiction.
The case originates from Justice Moraes's actions against a Brazilian political figure identified as "Political Dissident A," who has sought asylum in the U.S. The justice allegedly imposed a gag order on the dissident, accusing him of spreading misinformation and criticizing the Brazilian Supreme Court.
U.S. Companies Claim Overreach By Foreign Justice
According to the lawsuit, Moraes ordered Rumble to block the dissident’s account, with a threat of shutdown in Brazil if they didn’t comply. Such directives have reportedly placed Rumble's operations, as well as Truth Social’s, which relies on Rumble's technology, under threat.
Rumble and TMTG's lawsuit points out that they hold no operations or presence in Brazil, arguing that the restrictions clash with U.S. constitutional protections, particularly the First Amendment. Moreover, the lawsuit asserts that Moraes’s measures conflict with the Communications Decency Act, highlighting the potential operational risks involved.
The plaintiffs are seeking a legal judgment declaring Moraes's orders unenforceable within the United States. They emphasize that permitting these actions would threaten the U.S. commitment to vibrant and open debate.
Lawsuit Highlights Potential Overreach Concerns
Another dimension of the lawsuit involves allegations that Justice Moraes might persuade major tech companies such as Google or Apple to remove the Rumble app from their stores, which could affect its availability in the United States.
Despite attempts to secure a response from Justice Moraes regarding the lawsuit, there has been no immediate comment. His actions, however, are part of a broader initiative justified by the need to protect Brazil from alleged anti-democratic acts linked to former President Jair Bolsonaro’s supporters. Bolsonaro himself has denied any involvement in wrongdoing.
TMTG was founded in February 2021 by Donald Trump along with Andy Dean Litinsky and began trading on NASDAQ in March 2024. As of June 2024, Trump owned a significant portion of TMTG shares before transferring most to the Donald J. Trump Revocable Trust.
Implications Of Justice Moraes’s Actions
Justice Moraes has previously encountered disputes with tech giants. He is noted for blocking Twitter operations in Brazil until they comply with certain legal orders. This case illustrates the growing complexities faced by tech companies navigating the intersections of international laws and online censorship.
The lawsuit underscores potential legal and operational risks the American companies may face if they do not adhere to Justice Moraes's gag orders, emphasizing significant fines and operational interruptions.
Moreover, broader ramifications loom as the lawsuit stresses the danger inherent in allowing foreign jurisdictions to "muzzle" voices on American digital platforms. Such an outcome could undermine fundamental commitments to free and open dialogue in the digital sphere.
As the case progresses, it raises pressing questions about the reach of international law and digital rights as they pertain to multinational companies operating from one jurisdiction but affected in another. Union Pacific will likely continue observing developments closely.
