https://mobile.nytimes.com/2017/06/...ent.html?referer=http://www.drudgereport.com/ This is an interesting one. If it was the POTUS account it's a no brained but considering it is a personal account it's a little more gray. What do you think? Will Trump have to unblock people or will he retain control over his account? If he does have to unblock is it just those he blocked as President or his whole time on Twitter?
His Twitter account is HIS, just like anyone else's is. He is absolutely free to eliminate the spam trollers as he sees fit, as anyone else is.
Yes, because they have the self-declared moral high ground. They're like insane priests, trying to outlaw all heresy. One of the key features of power often (perhaps always) overlooked by ardent Progressives ... never take more than you would have your enemy take. Your power (and moral high ground) today, could be theirs tomorrow.
"The White House has admitted that Donald Trump has been blocking people on Twitter for criticizing him or his policies.... "Seven Twitter users, with the support of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, are alleging that blocking them from following the President violates their First Amendment rights." https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmawo...te-house-in-free-speech-lawsuit/#1d8e0e2035ec But does the First Amendment restrict what the president can do? "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances."
If Trump were using this account to post pictures of his dogs and Sunday dinners, he'd win. But since his use of this account amounts to an extension of his official governmental duties, and features his comments on a wide range of political issues, case law indicates he'll lose, and be forced go unblock. Alternately, he could just close the account, but that's his call.
Interesting. Imho, he should absolutely be allowed to block them. Twitter isn't some official government correspondence platform, so he can most definitely block the more abusive users.
Probably not based on his usage of the account; even the nastier comments are protected because of his position and utilization. Case law's been pretty consistent on this, though death threats are a no-no.
The problem is that no one is restricting their freedom of speech. If you called the whore house tomorrow and asked to speak to the President you wouldn't get through to anyone more than a lowly receptionist. Do you think you can then sue on the grounds of the first amendment?
To the extent he's using the Twitter account to conduct business and express opinions as the president - and clearly he does this constantly - his blockage IS unconstitutional, at least according to current case law. He'll lose & have to unblock.
Private individuals can block users, yes. But the government and it's officials, whether using Twitter or an official government website, cannot quash free speech. You could actually call him a crook and jerk and so forth, and as long as you don't threaten harm or other illegal acts, the official has little recourse. Trump will need to unblock, or he can set up a separate account for dog pictures and the like - no presidential stuff - and he can block anyone he wants to.
In that case he needs to let me into the Press Conferences and invite me into the white house during dinner or I'm ganna sue him!
In a related matter, there's been a liberal push for some time now to influence Twitter to close Trump's account - which they COULD do under their TOS - but so far it's been unsuccessful.
