Why Trump’s ‘class-action lawsuit’ is so hard to take seriously

Donald Trump recently announced a class-action lawsuit against Facebook, Twitter, and their CEOs, Mark Zuckerberg and Jack Dorsey, claiming they unfairly banned him and others. However, the lawsuit is viewed with skepticism due to Trump’s history of making unsubstantiated legal threats and the established legal precedent that social media companies are not government entities and can regulate content. The claim that Facebook is a “state actor” subject to First Amendment restrictions is considered a weak argument, especially given the existence of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act.

Furthermore, the announcement itself was staged with Trump speaking in front of a backdrop resembling the White House, adding to the perception of a publicity stunt. The timing of the announcement coincided with fundraising appeals from the Republican National Committee and Trump’s own political action committee, suggesting a primary motivation is financial gain.

Despite the lack of legal basis, the lawsuit is likely to resonate with Republican voters who have been led to believe that social media companies are biased against conservatives, and are expected to donate to support Trump’s effort. Ultimately, the lawsuit appears to be a performative act designed to energize his base and solicit donations rather than a genuine legal challenge.

(Source：Ms Now)