Donald Trump does not fool around. Since Twitter identified two of his messages as bogus and worth checking, the President has decided to declare war on Twitter and other social networks. He even decided to go even further by signing, on Thursday, a presidential decree which risks limiting the freedom of social networks. And he received unexpected support from Facebook boss Mark Zuckerberg.
Donald Trump's presidential decree will make it easier for those who believe they are being unfairly punished by social networks to sue them. According to the president, this decree must above all preserve freedom of expression, he who visibly considers himself to be deprived of it.
On Fox News, Mark Zuckerberg criticizes the choice of Twitter
And in this unprecedented situation, Donald Trump has found an ally, to say the least, surprising. Mark Zuckerberg even went, a few hours before the signing of this decree, on Donald Trump's favorite channel to criticize the choice of Twitter. In his eyes, no doubt, private companies should not be the arbiters of the truth. A speech which is not a surprise, since Mark Zuckerberg repeats this sentence regularly so as never to have to take a position or to check what is said on Facebook.
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And if Mark Zuckerberg went to speak on Fox News, it is probably not by chance. He knows that Facebook is very often criticized by the republican camp. Donald Trump's allies accuse him of bias and restricting the freedom of expression of their supporters. What all studies deny. But it looks like Mark Zuckerberg wanted to be seen by Donald Trump.
A decree contrary to the constitution?
Jack Dorsey, the boss of Twitter, does not intend to change his way of doing things. He replied on his social network that Twitter will continue to point out incorrect or contested information that is related to elections.
As for Donald Trump's decree, several American legal experts believe that he risks being found unconstitutional. In their view, it would infringe on the rights of private companies under the first amendment. A lawsuit that does not worry Donald Trump. "We will do very well," he said.