In a sweeping announcement, former President Donald Trump outlined his comprehensive plan to dismantle what he describes as a "censorship cartel" impacting free speech in the United States.
Speaking about his proposals to reinstate First Amendment protections, Trump emphasized the critical importance of free expression, stating, "If we don’t have free speech, then we just don’t have a free country. It’s as simple as that.”
Trump’s proposed plan includes signing an executive order to prevent federal agencies from colluding with any organization, business, or individual to censor or limit the lawful speech of American citizens.
He expressed that, upon inauguration, he would move swiftly, explaining, “Within hours of my inauguration, I will sign an executive order banning any federal department or agency from colluding with any organization, business, or person to censor, limit, categorize or impede the lawful speech of American citizens.”
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The plan further entails prohibiting federal funds from being used to label domestic speech as misinformation, a tactic Trump argues has been used to suppress vital information on topics from elections to public health.
He pledged to take action against any federal employee involved in censoring American voices, regardless of department. “I will begin the process of identifying and firing every federal bureaucrat who has engaged in domestic censorship, directly or indirectly,” Trump stated, listing the FBI, DOJ, DHS, and other agencies.
Trump also intends to involve the Department of Justice in a thorough investigation of all parties associated with what he described as an “online censorship regime.”
He pledged to prosecute those found in violation of civil rights laws, federal election law, campaign finance regulations, and other criminal statutes.
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“The censorship cartel must be dismantled and destroyed, and it must happen immediately,” he asserted, urging House Republicans to issue preservation letters to the Biden administration, Biden campaign, and Silicon Valley giants to prevent evidence destruction.
In addition to executive action, Trump is calling for a legislative overhaul of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which grants immunity to tech companies for user-generated content.
He envisions revisions to ensure that platforms meet “high standards of neutrality, transparency, fairness, and non-discrimination” to retain this protection.
Trump insists these changes are necessary to prevent arbitrary censorship of lawful speech while enhancing the removal of illegal content. “From now on, digital platforms should only qualify for immunity protection under Section 230 if they meet high standards of neutrality, transparency, fairness, and non-discrimination,” he explained.
As part of his larger vision, Trump proposed defunding nonprofits and academic institutions that engage in censorship activities, with penalties for universities found to have participated in election interference or flagged social media content.
He suggests that universities implicated in such actions lose federal funding and student loan support for five years or more.
Furthermore, he proposed laws to penalize federal employees who collaborate with private entities in a manner that undermines the Constitution, calling it an “end run around the Constitution.”
Trump also aims to tackle the “revolving door” between government intelligence agencies and tech companies, proposing a seven-year cooling-off period before former officials from agencies like the FBI, CIA, and DHS can work for companies holding significant amounts of U.S. user data.
In a final component, Trump called for a “Digital Bill of Rights,” emphasizing the need for transparency and due process in content moderation.
He advocates for government agencies to obtain a court order to remove online content and wants platforms to notify users when their content is restricted, along with the specific reasons and a clear path to appeal.
He stressed that adults should have the option to “opt out of content moderation and curation entirely,” ensuring an unfiltered access to information.
Trump concluded his address by emphasizing the existential stakes of the fight for free speech, saying, “The fight for free speech is a matter of victory or death for America and for the survival of Western civilization itself.”
He vowed to eradicate censorship practices if re-elected, stating, “By restoring free speech, we’ll begin to reclaim our democracy and save our nation.”
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YES! pic.twitter.com/yrtfxAGfXi
— Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 9, 2024
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Dawamn! He looks P.O.ed
YEAH!! However, Mr. Musk, don’t get too cocky. Our Almighty God is the One ini charge. Keep your eyes and ears in HIS direction and do what HE tells you. Blessings.
Preparation is far more important than publicity. The campaign is over and it puts you at great disadvantage by tipping off the deep state to your plan. Especially when they have several months in power to plot how to interfere in your plans.
What about his SATELLITE SURVEILLANCE and our RIGHT TO PRIVACY? I never gave him or anyone else PERMISSION to INVADE MY PRIVACY. Let’s just smokescreen all that with “censorship BS. X CENSORS people right NOW, is fact. I know a highly critical and credible site that is being CENSORED by Musk’s Crew. I never voted for Musk and neither did ANYONE else. We do not need your satellites in the sky for ANY REASON. Get them the hell OUT! You get your anti-Christ @@@$$ OUT of America as well! America needs to restore it’s Republic, not cow-to the latest billionaire b*llsh*t parade.
The ONLY “mandate” Trump or ANY “elected” Official possesses, is the mandate to UPHOLD THE CONSTITUTION. Beyond that you are another Bolshevik concubine that does not serve the people. We are America, not the phagfest EU that the Govt. owns. WE THE PEOPLE OWN YOU. And if we don’t that means you serve somebody else.