Trump Media & Technology Group ignited a cross-border legal firestorm Wednesday by suing Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. The lawsuit alleges Moraes violated First Amendment principles through censorship orders targeting a Bolsonaro-aligned blogger hosted on U.S. platforms.
Filed in Tampa Federal Court, the 39-page complaint coincides with former President Jair Bolsonaro's indictment for allegedly orchestrating a failed 2022 coup attempt. Prosecutors claim Bolsonaro supporters planned extreme measures – including assassinating Justice Moraes and poisoning current President Lula – to maintain power.
'Justice Moraes cannot dictate lawful discourse within the United States,' argued Trump Media's attorneys, stressing America's constitutional commitment to unfettered speech.
The dispute centers on Moraes' attempt to silence Political Dissident A – a right-wing commentator now seeking U.S. asylum. Consequences for non-compliance include:
- $9,000 daily fines for partner platform Rumble
- Potential shutdown of Truth Social's operations in Brazil
This clash highlights stark differences between U.S. and Brazilian approaches to free expression. Unlike America's First Amendment framework, Brazil's post-dictatorship constitution grants broader censorship powers during perceived democratic crises. Moraes has previously frozen accounts of Bolsonaro allies and authorized police raids against online critics.
Legal experts warn the case could set precedent for how U.S. tech firms handle foreign content restrictions. With Brazil's 2024 municipal elections approaching, tensions over online speech regulation show no signs of cooling.