2. The First
Amendment
• 1st Amendment of the USA says that the
government may not infringe upon a citizens
right to free speech
• All depends on how the overseeing eyes
interpret the law and circumstances
• Protects citizens from the government and
speaking about them
• The First Amendment is about the
relationship between he citizen and the
government.
3. Knight
First
Amendment
Inst. at
Columbia
Univ. v.
Trump
Info
• PresidentTrumpsTwitter handle is
@realDonaldTrump
• He uses it multiple times to day
• Blocks users
• Presented as “45th President”
• Uses it share
– Official decisions
– Engage with leaders
– Publicize state visits
– Other statements
4.
5. Knight First
Amendment
Inst. at
Columbia
Univ. v.
Trump
Case
• 7 plaintiffs in the case
• Brought up through the Knight First
Amendment Inst.
• All plaintiffs were blocked by PresidentTrump
• Rules that blocking users was
unconstitutional
• TheTwitter account in government property –
to be treated like so
• Rules apply to President and all Public
Officials
6. Problems • Social media and the use of it in politics is
very new – first used in the 2008 election.
• Social media is constantly changing, this case
is super specific
• The government is not allowed to block
citizens from property, but can allow them
not to respond to decisions
7. Results • PresidentTrump had to unblock everyone one
social
• Appealed the ruling
• Did not unblock all social media users
• Questioned whether or not the President has
free speech protection
• Social Media begins to be regulated on the
federal level
8. Research
Questions
• If the account was not branded as ”45th
President” would it be subject to these rules?
• Does this apply to every other recent and
upcoming social media platforms?
• Who is to regulate this and to make sure he is
following the rules?
• Could Public Officials mute people?
