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Rumble Inc. and Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. (TMTG) filed suit Wednesday, accusing a Brazilian Supreme Federal Court justice of illegally censoring political speech in the United States by forcing social media platforms to ban users deemed to be spreading disinformation.

Censorship Orders Extend Beyond Brazil, Suit Alleges

The lawsuit, lodged in federal court in Tampa, Florida, targets Justice Alexandre de Moraes, claiming his sweeping gag orders compelled U.S.-based platforms, including X (formerly Twitter) and Facebook, to suspend accounts of outspoken political figures—even beyond Brazil's borders.

“These unlawful suppression tactics violate not only Brazilian law but also multiple treaties between Brazil and the U.S.,” the plaintiffs asserted. “Such overreach is not immune from scrutiny in American courts.”

The suit alleges Justice Moraes ordered the removal of 16 accounts on X and 12 on Facebook in 2020, all linked to supporters of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, a close ally of Donald Trump. His actions reportedly escalated, leading to nearly 150 account suspensions since 2022—including those of conservative politicians, journalists, and musicians.

Free Speech and U.S. Sovereignty at Stake

The plaintiffs cited a case involving "Political Dissident A," a journalist who fled to the U.S. in 2021 after Moraes issued a warrant for his arrest. Though unnamed in the suit, this figure is widely believed to be Paulo Figueiredo, a conservative commentator who has likened himself to "the Brazilian Tucker Carlson."

Rumble and TMTG argue that Justice Moraes' actions violate:

• The First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
• The U.S.-Brazil Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty, which outlines legal cooperation in criminal cases
• Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, protecting platforms from liability for third-party content

"Justice Moraes cannot dictate what constitutes lawful discourse in the United States," the suit contends. "Only American law, rooted in First Amendment principles, should govern these U.S.-based companies."

Bolsonaro’s Legal Troubles Add Tension

The lawsuit follows fresh indictments against Bolsonaro and 33 others this week, accusing them of attempting to overturn Brazil’s 2022 election. Prosecutors claim the former president and his allies spread fraud allegations and even plotted to poison current Brazilian leader Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva and assassinate Justice Moraes.

Attorneys for Rumble and TMTG, including Boies Schiller Flexner LLP and DLA Piper LLP, have yet to comment on the case. A representative for Justice Moraes could not be reached.