Leftists: if you support the court decision that Trump can't block people on Twitter, why can't we extend free speech to all citizens?

Question

"Judge Rules Trump Can’t Block People on Twitter"
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-05-23/trump-told-by-judge-not-to-block-users-from-his-twitter-feed

If you still think that websites can de-platform people, and allow only political activists they agree with speak, then do you believe Trump should have the right to block people on this private platform?

Also, if the TOS is applied consistently and all people promoting genocide are blocked, why is Reza Aslan allowed on?

"After today there is no longer any room for nuance. The President is a white nationalist terror leader. His supporters - ALL OF THEM - are by definition white nationalist terror supporters. The MAGA hat is a KKK hood. And this evil, racist scourge must be eradicated from society."-Reza Aslan
https://twitter.com/rezaaslan/status/1158160628592209920?lang=en

Answer 1

I think the issue is that Trump, being President, is essentially speaking for the Executive Branch. And thus, the platform must be left open for public discourse. If he were not an elected official, the principle would not apply.



That being said, I'm a free-speech absolutist. If speech can be silenced just because it is deemed "hate speech", then the party in power can silence any speech they want. All they have to do is deem it "hate speech". I don't know what the Left doesn't get about this.



If the Constitution allowed the government to silence "hate speech", then what is to stop Trump and the GOP from simply deeming any dissent with their policies "hate speech" and forcibly silencing it. Once you say, "Well, the government has the right to silence speech if it fits such and such criteria," and if that criteria is even A LITTLE BIT subjective, then you've basically given the government the right to silence whatever speech they want.



Before anyone brings it up, the only speech that can be restricted is:



1. Deliberate deception: I can claim Trump or Hillary are extraterrestrials determined to destroy our planet so long as no one can prove I don't honestly believe that. (I don't believe that, and I'm not claiming it.) The old adage, "You can't yell, 'fire,' in a crowded theater," isn't exactly true. You CAN yell, "fire," in a crowded theater as long as you sincerely, honestly believe the theater is on fire. THAT is what the law says.



The quote is from Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr. who actually said, “The most stringent protection of free speech would not protect a man in FALSELY shouting fire in a theatre and causing a panic.” (emphasis mine) As long as the theater really is on fire, or as long as no one can show you didn't honestly believe it to be, YES YOU CAN yell fire in a crowded theater.



2: Making threats: Threats are not what the First Amendment was even talking about. So, that should really be a no-brainer.



Calling for state sponsored genocide against a population that poses no threat to you may be vile, absorbent, and evil, but it is still protected under the First Amendment. Telling your neighbor you're going to kill him isn't.



Jingoist: If I remember your posts correctly, I think a lot of your positions are so far out there that half the time I suspect you're a troll. But, if you're sincere, then I defend your legal right to say what you honestly believe … no matter how wacky or crazy I think it is.

Answer 2

Unfortunately for a US president there is no private twitter account. All presidential communications are permanently recorded for historians and posterity. They are part of the Unites States official record. The president can not block certain citizens from participating in that because he disagrees with them.

Sad to think that Trumps Twitter feed will reside permanently in the National Archives along side such documents as the Bill of Rights, The emancipation proclamation, etc.

Answer 3

Were you born this stupid or did you need home schooling?

Answer 4

"Leftists: if you support the court decision that Trump can't block people on Twitter, why can't we extend free speech to all citizens?" Actually the ruling is about extending free speech to all citizens. If Trump blocks people, he is a representative of government prohibiting the blocked person's free speech.



The first amendment protects the people from actions of the government, not the actions of private companies or other people. So the owner of a computer system has every right to limit who can use their system. As long as they are not prohibiting access based on a person being a member of a protected class, they can even be arbitrary in their decision to bar people.



Just like every user on Y!A has the right to block any other user they want.

Answer 5

Twitter has stated Trumps tweets are not subject to their terms of service since he is speaking as an elected figure. If Trump publicly declares his Twitter account is a “private platform”, this would allow Twitter to hold him accountable, and he could block whomever he wants. Can’t have it both ways. Is that what you alt-rights want? 😂😂😂

Answer 6

I'd prefer the rantings of leftist lunatics such as Aslan be readily available for viewing. It is essential that their prose (and the obvious mindsets behind it) be front and center in voters' minds.



As for Trump, no, I do not think he should be allowed to block anyone on Twitter. I think the same should hold true for anyone elected to a public office.

Answer 7

Because the President is not a private citizen. He is a public servant and accountable to the people of this country. If he used twitter for personal communication only then it would be allowable. Since he uses it to announce policy, views, and intentions he cannot block them.

Answer 8

Because Trump is a public figure, his Twitter account is considered a public form. Private citizens can do whatever they want.

Answer 9

Yeah, that'd be really great if we could "extend free speech to all citizens". Maybe we could write down somewhere too, in some sort of "Constitution", or something.....

Answer 10

Still fighting for your hate speech, huh?



The reason Trump can't block people is because he uses it for government announcements. Has nothing to do with "free speech" and more with government regulations around the distribution of information.

Answer 11

If he were tweeting as a private person, sure. But since he tweets as the official President of the USA, anyone in the USA should be able to see and comment on those tweets.

Answer 12

You just want the right to say racist things in public and have it protected. Well, you know what? How about I protect my fist against your scumbag face.

Answer 13

🖕 leftists and libtards