US judge tosses Trump suit over Twitter ban

A federal judge in California dismissed a lawsuit filed by former US President Donald Trump seeking to reactivate his suspended Twitter account.

The suit’s claim that Twitter “censored” Trump in violation of his free speech rights was weak, according to the judge, because the First Amendment prohibits government organizations, not private firms, from interfering with what citizens say.

“The amended complaint does not plausibly allege a First Amendment claim against Twitter,” US District Court Judge James Donato said in a ruling dismissing the lawsuit.

“The TOS (terms of service) gave Twitter contractual permission to act as it saw fit with respect to any account or content for any or no reason.”

The action, which was launched by Trump, the American Conservative Union, and a few persons who claimed they were “de-platformed,” might be changed and re-filed, according to Donato.

The lawsuit names Twitter and its former CEO, Jack Dorsey, as defendants, and seeks monetary damages as well as an order that the suspended accounts be restored immediately.

Two days after Trump’s speech at a “Stop the Steal” protest incited a crowd to lay siege to the Capitol as lawmakers were certifying President Joe Biden’s victory, Twitter permanently deactivated his account.

Trump was kicked off Twitter “because to the potential of increased instigation of violence” generated by his statements, according to the service.

Elon Musk, the billionaire, is in the process of buying Twitter and has promised to keep content moderation to a bare minimum.

The agreement positions Musk to reconsider Trump’s travel ban, a decision that may roil US politics as the country approaches the November midterm elections and a possible Trump re-election effort in 2024.