US President Donald Trump’s media company filed a lawsuit in Florida on Wednesday against a Brazilian Supreme Court justice, accusing the judge’s social media restrictions of violating free speech.
The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Tampa, landed just hours after Justice Alexandre de Moraes received an indictment accusing former Brazilian president Jair Bolsonaro of attempting a coup following his 2022 election loss.
Trump and Bolsonaro have maintained strong political and ideological ties for years, and both faced legal challenges over their alleged attempts to overturn their respective election defeats.
Trump Media & Technology Group, which operates the Truth Social site and the Rumble video outlet, argued that Moraes’ orders requiring platforms to suspend certain accounts violate US free speech protections and exceed his jurisdiction.
The orders carry daily fines of around $9,000 and threats of platform shutdowns.
“Justice Moraes cannot dictate the contours of lawful discourse within the United States,” the complaint states.
While Truth Social hasn’t been directly targeted by the Brazilian restrictions, it claims potential harm because it relies on Rumble’s technology infrastructure.
The case follows Moraes’ clash with X (formerly Twitter) last year, when he blocked the platform in Brazil until owner Elon Musk complied with account suspension orders.
Moraes has defended such actions as necessary to protect Brazilian democracy.
The companies seek a declaration that Moraes’ orders are unenforceable in the United States and an injunction preventing tech companies from removing their apps from US stores.
The lawsuit emerges amid escalating political tensions in Brazil.
In 2023, Bolsonaro supporters stormed Brazil’s presidential palace, Congress, and Supreme Court, and recent investigations allege the former president and allies plotted to assassinate high-ranking officials — claims Bolsonaro denies.
Brazilian prosecutors on Tuesday charged Bolsonaro, 69, and his co-accused with five counts related to allegedly trying to prevent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva from taking office.
Investigators also uncovered an alleged plot to assassinate Lula, Vice President Geraldo Alckmin and a senior judge, reportedly with Bolsonaro’s approval.
Bolsonaro is barred from holding public office until 2030 for questioning Brazil’s voting system during his failed reelection bid.
