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.
