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Elon Musk’s Twitter plans could be bad news for Donald Trump’s social network. Trump had positioned the Truth Social app as Twitter’s free conservative counterpart, but if Musk takes over Twitter and loosens its moderation policies, Truth Social’s raison d’etre would be threatened.
Disney and free talk
Florida’s rushed passage of a bill last week Revoke Walt Disney World’s special tax statusJust days after Governor Ron DeSantis called for such a move, to some it may seem like a quick government victory. But if it ends, it can become a political responsibility. burden local taxpayers or fail a legal challenge.
The conflict flared up when Disney came out. Florida objected to law banning discussions of gender identity and sexual orientation in public school classrooms. Disney has yet to comment on the state’s extraordinary response. But if the company sues, the legislature’s actions could be found unconstitutional precisely because DeSantis was very vocal against Disney.
Companies are people too. For more than 50 years, Disney has independently managed the Reedy Creek Improvement District and receives exclusive benefits. The cancellation will end Disney’s special status in 2023, but many lawyers and free speech advocates say Florida could lose a constitutional challenge – if Disney can prove it’s a revenge for political speech. Companies as “artificial persons”, long had constitutional rights. hour signing an invoice DeSantis on Friday referred to Disney’s stance on the education law, calling it a “provocation” and vowing to “fight against.” Withdrawing aid to punish the company for political protest, although Disney doesn’t have the right to get its own exclusive territory, apparently violating the First Amendment.
But revenge may not be easy to prove. Despite DeSantis’ obvious hostility to Disney, the company could have trouble showing that other lawmakers were acting with the intent to punish political speech and would not pass the bill. but for Disney’s protest. Also, since the benefits in question are unique to Disney, this particular case can get complicated and fall into unknown constitutional territory.
Democrats and Republicans are switching sides. ideological left and right taking new angles on an old fight. In 2010, when the Supreme Court ruled in Citizens United, a case that lifted limits on corporate political spending, Democrats protested that corporations would have excessive political influence, while Republicans applauded corporate liberties. Now, while many conservatives are angered by corporations talking about political issues, progressives unexpected advocates of business.
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