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Earlier this month, former President Donald Trump announced a lawsuit against Big Tech companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Google's YouTube—all of which banned or suspended him after his incessant lies about the 2020 election incited a deadly failed insurrection at the United States Capitol.
Trump claimed the private companies violated his First Amendment rights to free speech, and he once again called for the repeal of Section 230—a provision in the Communications Decency Act that grants broad liability protections to internet publishers from the actions of their users. Ironically, a Section 230 repeal would likely result in more aggressive "censorship" of social media posts, because the outlets hosting them would no longer be shielded from liability.
Trump's critics found the lawsuit entirely unserious, and any doubts they may have had were eliminated when Trump and the GOP immediately began fundraising off the effort.
GOP fundraisers are having a field day with the Trump social media lawsuit. Also, peep the NRSC sticking with “5X M… https://t.co/qYRO7SkJwp— Andrew Solender (@Andrew Solender) 1625677163.0
And the first fundraising missive related to the Trump lawsuit comes from the NRCC at 11:39 a.m., before the event… https://t.co/M7abXg9IgE— Shane Goldmacher (@Shane Goldmacher) 1625672576.0
And there it is: Trump fundraising appeal off his lawsuit already out https://t.co/4KUaokjezH— Nick Corasaniti (@Nick Corasaniti) 1625673845.0
On the social media outlet Telegram, Trump's eldest son—Donald Trump Jr.—solicited donations from supporters as well, but many of the normally adoring fans had run out of patience for the Trumposphere's constant grifting.
He wrote:
"Guys my dad is suing big tech!!! you can click to link to donate to his PAC to help out!!!"
Junior included a link to the GOP's fundraising platform WinRed, and his followers weren't happy, according to a post from PatriotTakes.
These are some MAGA responses to Don Jr asking for donations to help his dad with the big tech lawsuit. (Telegram) https://t.co/HaYFkoL6oO— PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@PatriotTakes 🇺🇸) 1625709720.0
One response said:
"Tell him to help me out. His [sic] a billionaire. Help my back. Q said you all bad med beds [sic]. Let's see them . [sic] Help a billionaire are you joking. You all a psyop [sic]"
Another:
"So wait, you have to DONATE in order for your dad to sue? He is a BILLIONAIRE! Something isn't adding up here."
In one of the other replies, a user warns Trump Jr. not to use WinRed because they "scammed us on backing fraud in November." They were referring to the covert way Trump and down-ballot GOP candidates automatically made intended one-time donations recurring ones instead.
Look who was finally beginning to see the light...
They are so close https://t.co/QRJ6n5qmdR— scene bean (@scene bean) 1625712396.0
Wait a minute.... https://t.co/2xCUKdby5P https://t.co/CvQSrBGtYI— TXAZ - For What It's Worth 🤓 (@TXAZ - For What It's Worth 🤓) 1625718239.0
A few eyes have opened… not nearly enough though!!! https://t.co/LqfxzN3eZ2— V Grimes (@V Grimes) 1625710847.0
wait … could they be catching on to the grift!? https://t.co/ScEGfptOvM— 𝕭𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖙 𝖔𝖋 𝕭𝖎𝖗𝖉𝖎𝖓' (@𝕭𝖊𝖆𝖘𝖙 𝖔𝖋 𝕭𝖎𝖗𝖉𝖎𝖓') 1625719133.0
It’s like the penny is almost ready to drop, just teetering on the edge… https://t.co/dS5Rjm5G4Y— moderna-ized warrior rabbit (@moderna-ized warrior rabbit) 1625855779.0
Could they possibly be… catching on?? https://t.co/AJcYrlynZe— Lori J (@Lori J) 1625714497.0
But the lightbulb moment was mocked across social media.
@patriottakes “Q said you all bad med beds” is definitely a sentence— Kyle and 8,732 others (@Kyle and 8,732 others) 1625709939.0
@patriottakes “Something isn’t adding up here”....😂🤦🏻♀️— Alicia Carlson (@Alicia Carlson) 1625709885.0
It's unclear if the donations are even going toward Trump's legal costs, as none of the fundraising asks explicitly mention them.