Days after the U.S. Capitol unrest, major platforms including Twitter and Facebook suspended former President Donald Trump’s accounts – a move polarizing Americans nationwide. In Miami, CGTN Global Stringer asked residents: \"Do these bans protect democracy or silence free speech?\"
\"This isn’t free speech – it’s dangerous speech,\" said 28-year-old teacher Maria Gonzalez. \"Social platforms finally took responsibility after the riots.\" Others like libertarian activist Jake Cooper countered: \"If corporations control who speaks, they control democracy itself.\"
Tech policy expert Dr. Priya Kapoor noted: \"Over 60% of U.S. adults now get news from social media. This decision forces a global debate on balancing public safety with open dialogue.\" Meanwhile, digital rights advocates warn of precedents for censorship beyond U.S. borders.
While 55% of Americans supported suspensions in recent Pew surveys, divisions persist. Legal scholar Mark Turner emphasized: \"The First Amendment binds governments, not companies – but these platforms now wield unprecedented influence over political discourse.\"
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What do U.S. citizens say about Trump's social media ban, free speech
cgtn.com
