Case: Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. v. De Moraes

8:25-cv-00411 | U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida

Filed Date: Feb. 18, 2025

Case Ongoing

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Case Summary

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.) On February 19, 2025, Trump Media and Technology Group and Rumble Inc. filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida against a justice on the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court. The Plaintiffs alleged that the judge had issued a sweeping "gag order" suspending multiple social media accounts based in the U.S., such that no one in the United States could see the suspended content, thereby "censor[ing…

(This summary is temporary, while we research the case.) On February 19, 2025, Trump Media and Technology Group and Rumble Inc. filed this lawsuit in the United States District Court for the Middle District of Florida against a justice on the Brazilian Supreme Federal Court. The Plaintiffs alleged that the judge had issued a sweeping "gag order" suspending multiple social media accounts based in the U.S., such that no one in the United States could see the suspended content, thereby "censor[ing] legitimate political discourse in the United States." The complaint specifically alleged that the judge had suspended nearly 150 accounts since 2022, which "target[ed] critics of current Brazilian President Luiz Inacio “Lula” da Silva, including conservative legislators, journalists, jurists, and even musical performers. The Plaintiffs alleged that the judge's "gag orders" violated the First Amendment, the Communications Decency Act, and Florida's Statutory Foreign Judgment Nonrecognition Policy, and they sought a judgment declaring the Brazilian judge's orders unenforceable in the United States.

The case was assigned to District Judge Mary Scriven.  On Feb. 25, 2025, the court declined to grant a Temporary Restraining Order, without prejudice.  Judge Scriven explained that the "pronouncements and directives purportedly issued" by the Defendant were not properly served on the Plaintiffs, or otherwise rendered effective.  For that reason, Plaintiffs were not obligated to comply with those directives.  In addition, she wrote, there had been no other enforcement action taken. In sum, the issue was not ripe--so there was no need for emergency relief. 

Summary Authors

Meredith Ulle (3/21/2025)

People

For PACER's information on parties and their attorneys, see: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69650977/parties/trump-media-technology-group-corp-v-de-moraes/


Judge(s)
Attorney for Plaintiff

Honda, Marcal (Florida)

Luca, E. Martin (Florida)

Oprison, Christopher George (Florida)

Pustilnik, Daria (Florida)

Schechtman, Caryn G. (Florida)

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Documents in the Clearinghouse

Document
1

8:25-cv-00411

Complaint

Feb. 19, 2025

Feb. 19, 2025

Complaint
26

8:25-cv-00411

Order

Feb. 25, 2025

Feb. 25, 2025

Order/Opinion

2025 WL 607113

Docket

See docket on RECAP: https://www.courtlistener.com/docket/69650977/trump-media-technology-group-corp-v-de-moraes/

Last updated April 21, 2025, 3:31 p.m.

ECF Number Description Date Link Date / Link
1

COMPLAINT against Alexandre De Moraes with Jury Demand (Filing fee $405 receipt number AFLMDC-23033843) filed by Trump Media & Technology Group Corp., Rumble Inc. (Attachments: # 1 Civil Cover Sheet for Case)(Pustilnik, Daria) Modified text on 2/19/2025 (KME). (Entered: 02/19/2025)

1 Civil Cover Sheet for Case

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Feb. 19, 2025

Feb. 19, 2025

Clearinghouse

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Feb. 19, 2025

Feb. 19, 2025

PACER
2

NEW CASE ASSIGNED to Senior Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell and Magistrate Judge Amanda Arnold Sansone. New case number: 8:25-cv-00411-CEH-AAS. (JOS) (Entered: 02/19/2025)

Feb. 19, 2025

Feb. 19, 2025

PACER
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NOTICE TO COUNSEL E. Martin De Luca, Matthew L. Schwartz, Andrew H. Smith, Caryn G. Schechtman Local Rule 2.01(c), Special Admission - File a Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Co-counsel with filing rights may electronically file the motion on behalf of the lawyer seeking Special Admission or the motion may be filed in paper format; (Signed by Deputy Clerk). (KME) (Entered: 02/20/2025)

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

PACER

Notice to Counsel of Local Rule

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

PACER
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NOTICE of Local Rule 1.07(c), Local Rule 3.02(a)(2), and Local Rule 3.03. -Local Rule 1.07(c) requires lead counsel to file promptly a Notice of a Related Action identifying and describing any related action either pending or closed in the Middle District or elsewhere. -Local Rule 3.02(a)(2) requires the parties in every civil proceeding, except those described in subsection (d), to file a case management report (CMR) using the uniform form at www.flmd.uscourts.gov. The CMR must be filed (1) within forty days after any defendant appears in an action originating in this court, (2) within forty days after the docketing of an action removed or transferred to this court, or (3) within seventy days after service on the United States attorney in an action against the United States, its agencies or employees. Judges may have a special CMR form for certain types of cases. These forms can be found at www.flmd.uscourts.gov under the Forms tab for each judge. -Local Rule 3.03 requires each party to file a disclosure statement. Counsel must make their disclosures using the standard court form. The Disclosure Statement form can be found at www.flmd.uscourts.gov. (Signed by Deputy Clerk). (CAB) (Entered: 02/20/2025)

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

PACER
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NOTICE informing the parties that they may consent to the jurisdiction of a United States magistrate judge by filing Form AO 85 Notice, Consent, and Reference of a Civil Action to a Magistrate Judge using the event Consent to Jurisdiction of US Magistrate Judge. (Signed by Deputy Clerk). (CAB) (Entered: 02/20/2025)

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

PACER
6

MOTION for Emiliano Martin De Luca to appear pro hac vice, Special Admission fee paid, Receipt No. AFLMDC-23045319 for $150 by Rumble Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Written Consent and Designation to Act, # 2 Text of Proposed Order to Grant Motion)(Pustilnik, Daria) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Amanda Arnold Sansone. (Entered: 02/20/2025)

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

PACER
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MOTION for Matthew L. Schwartz to appear pro hac vice, Special Admission fee paid, Receipt No. AFLMDC-23045328 for $150 by Rumble Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Written Consent and Designation to Act, # 2 Text of Proposed Order to Grant Motion)(Pustilnik, Daria) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Amanda Arnold Sansone. (Entered: 02/20/2025)

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

PACER
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MOTION for Andrew H. Smith to appear pro hac vice, Special Admission fee paid, Receipt No. AFLMDC-23045396 for $150 by Rumble Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Written Consent and Designation to Act, # 2 Text of Proposed Order to Grant Motion)(Pustilnik, Daria) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Amanda Arnold Sansone. (Entered: 02/20/2025)

Feb. 20, 2025

Feb. 20, 2025

PACER
9

ENDORSED ORDER granting 6 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice; granting 7 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice; granting 8 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorneys Emiliano Martin De Luca, Matthew L. Schwartz, and Andrew H. Smith may appear pro hac vice, subject to the requirement that counsel submit their Pro Hac Vice E-File Registration (see https://www.flmd.uscourts.gov/for-lawyers) within seven days of this order. Signed by Magistrate Judge Amanda Arnold Sansone on 2/21/2025. (BEE) (Entered: 02/21/2025)

Feb. 21, 2025

Feb. 21, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice AND Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Feb. 21, 2025

Feb. 21, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice

Feb. 21, 2025

Feb. 21, 2025

PACER
10

MOTION for Caryn G. Schechtman to appear pro hac vice, Special Admission fee paid, Receipt No. AFLMDC-23047779 for $150 by Trump Media & Technology Group Corp.. (Attachments: # 1 Supplement Special Admission Attorney Certification)(Oprison, Christopher) Motions referred to Magistrate Judge Amanda Arnold Sansone. (Entered: 02/21/2025)

Feb. 21, 2025

Feb. 21, 2025

PACER
11

ENDORSED ORDER granting 10 Motion to Appear Pro Hac Vice. Attorney Caryn G. Schechtman may appear pro hac vice, subject to the requirement that counsel submit her Pro Hac Vice E-File Registration (see https://www.flmd.uscourts.gov/for-lawyers) within seven days of this order. Signed by Magistrate Judge Amanda Arnold Sansone on 2/21/2025. (BEE) (Entered: 02/21/2025)

Feb. 21, 2025

Feb. 21, 2025

PACER
12

MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by All Plaintiffs. (Pustilnik, Daria) (Entered: 02/22/2025)

Feb. 22, 2025

Feb. 22, 2025

RECAP
13

DECLARATION of Andrew H. Smith re 12 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Rumble Inc.. (Attachments: # 1 Exhibit 1, # 2 Exhibit 2, # 3 Exhibit 3, # 4 Exhibit 4, # 5 Exhibit 5, # 6 Exhibit 6, # 7 Exhibit 7, # 8 Exhibit 8, # 9 Exhibit 9, # 10 Exhibit 10, # 11 Exhibit 11, # 12 Exhibit 12, # 13 Exhibit 13, # 14 Exhibit 14, # 15 Exhibit 15, # 16 Exhibit 16, # 17 Exhibit 17, # 18 Exhibit 18, # 19 Exhibit 19, # 20 Exhibit 20, # 21 Exhibit 21, # 22 Exhibit 22 - FUS, # 23 Exhibit 23 - FUS, # 24 Exhibit 24 - FUS, # 25 Exhibit 25 - FUS, # 26 Exhibit 26 - FUS, # 27 Exhibit 27 - FUS, # 28 Exhibit 28 - FUS, # 29 Exhibit 29, # 30 Exhibit 30 - FUS, # 31 Exhibit 31, # 32 Exhibit 32, # 33 Exhibit 33, # 34 Exhibit 34, # 35 Exhibit 35, # 36 Exhibit 36 - FUS)(Pustilnik, Daria) (Entered: 02/23/2025)

1 Exhibit 1

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21 Exhibit 21

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22 Exhibit 22 - FUS

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30 Exhibit 30 - FUS

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35 Exhibit 35

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36 Exhibit 36 - FUS

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Feb. 23, 2025

Feb. 23, 2025

PACER
14

DECLARATION of Stacey Beall re 12 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Rumble Inc.. (Pustilnik, Daria) (Entered: 02/23/2025)

Feb. 23, 2025

Feb. 23, 2025

PACER
15

DECLARATION of Scott Glabe re 12 MOTION for Temporary Restraining Order by Trump Media & Technology Group Corp.. (Pustilnik, Daria) (Entered: 02/23/2025)

Feb. 23, 2025

Feb. 23, 2025

PACER
16

MOTION to file DOCUMENT under seal by All Plaintiffs (Attachments: # 1 Proposed Sealed Item Exhibit 22 - FUS, # 2 Proposed Sealed Item Exhibit 23 - FUS, # 3 Proposed Sealed Item Exhibit 24 - FUS, # 4 Proposed Sealed Item Exhibit 25 - FUS, # 5 Proposed Sealed Item Exhibit 26 - FUS, # 6 Proposed Sealed Item Exhibit 27 - FUS, # 7 Proposed Sealed Item Exhibit 28 - FUS, # 8 Proposed Sealed Item Exhibit 30 - FUS, # 9 Proposed Sealed Item Exhibit 36 - FUS)(Pustilnik, Daria). (Entered: 02/23/2025)

Feb. 23, 2025

Feb. 23, 2025

RECAP
17

MOTION to File Excess Pages by All Plaintiffs. (Pustilnik, Daria) (Entered: 02/23/2025)

Feb. 23, 2025

Feb. 23, 2025

PACER
18

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT under Rule 7.1, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Local Rule 3.03 by Rumble Inc. (Pustilnik, Daria) Modified docket text on 2/24/2025 (EVK). (Entered: 02/23/2025)

Feb. 23, 2025

Feb. 23, 2025

PACER
19

DISCLOSURE STATEMENT under Rule 7.1, Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, and Local Rule 3.03 by Trump Media & Technology Group Corp. (Pustilnik, Daria) Modified docket text on 2/24/2025 (EVK). (Entered: 02/23/2025)

Feb. 23, 2025

Feb. 23, 2025

PACER
20

ENDORSED ORDER directing reassignment of this action to the next available District Judge, per my Standing Order. Signed by Senior Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell on 2/24/2025. (AB) (Entered: 02/24/2025)

Feb. 24, 2025

Feb. 24, 2025

PACER

Case Assigned/Reassigned

Feb. 24, 2025

Feb. 24, 2025

PACER

Order

Feb. 24, 2025

Feb. 24, 2025

PACER

Order on Motion to File Excess Pages

Feb. 24, 2025

Feb. 24, 2025

PACER
21

Case Reassigned to Judge Mary S. Scriven. New case number: 8:25-cv-00411-MSS-AAS. Senior Judge Charlene Edwards Honeywell no longer assigned to the case. (SAO) (Entered: 02/24/2025)

Feb. 24, 2025

Feb. 24, 2025

PACER
22

SUPPLEMENT re 17 MOTION to File Excess Pages Exhibit A - Motion for Temporary Restraining Order by Rumble Inc., Trump Media & Technology Group Corp.. (Pustilnik, Daria) (Entered: 02/24/2025)

Feb. 24, 2025

Feb. 24, 2025

RECAP
24

ENDORSED ORDER GRANTING 17 Motion to File Excess Pages. The Motion for Temporary Restraining Order 12 may exceed the page limit. Signed by Judge Mary S. Scriven on 2/24/2025. (Scriven, Mary) (Entered: 02/24/2025)

Feb. 24, 2025

Feb. 24, 2025

PACER
26

ORDER DENYING WITHOUT PREJUDICE 12 Plaintiffs' Motion for Temporary Restraining Order. Signed by Judge Mary S. Scriven on 2/25/2025. (AC) (Entered: 02/25/2025)

Feb. 25, 2025

Feb. 25, 2025

Clearinghouse
27

INTERVENOR COMPLAINT filed by Marcal Honda. (eportal) (Attachments: # 1 Petition, # 2 Complaint)(GL) (Entered: 03/06/2025)

1 Petition

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2 Complaint

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March 4, 2025

March 4, 2025

RECAP
28

NOTICE of filing question reagrding 27 Intervenor complaint by Marcal Honda. (e-portal) (JKB) (Entered: 03/06/2025)

March 6, 2025

March 6, 2025

RECAP
30

MOTION for Hearing by Marcal Honda. (eportal) (GL) (Entered: 03/17/2025)

March 14, 2025

March 14, 2025

RECAP
31

NOTICE of filing Notification to the President for Hearing or Written Statement by Marcal Honda. (e-portal) (JKB) (Entered: 03/20/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER
32

SUPPLEMENTAL request in the terms requested in 30 MOTION for Hearing by Marcal Honda. (e-portal) (JKB) (Entered: 03/20/2025)

March 19, 2025

March 19, 2025

PACER

Case Details

State / Territory: Florida

Case Type(s):

Speech and Religious Freedom

Special Collection(s):

Trump Administration 2.0: Litigation and Investigations Involving the Government

Key Dates

Filing Date: Feb. 18, 2025

Case Ongoing: Yes

Plaintiffs

Plaintiff Description:

Plaintiffs are two privately-owned media companies. Plaintiff Trump Media & Technology Group owns and operates social media site Truth Social. Plaintiff Rumble Inc. provides cloud-based hosting and streaming infrastructure to Truth Social.

Plaintiff Type(s):

Private Plaintiff

Public Interest Lawyer: No

Filed Pro Se: No

Class Action Sought: No

Class Action Outcome: Not sought

Defendants

Alexander de Moraes (- International -), Private Entity/Person

Case Details

Causes of Action:

Declaratory Judgment Act, 28 U.S.C. § 2201

Constitutional Clause(s):

Freedom of speech/association

Available Documents:

Trial Court Docket

Complaint (any)

Outcome

Prevailing Party: None Yet / None

Nature of Relief:

None yet

Source of Relief:

None yet

Issues

General/Misc.:

Other