Florida Governor Ron DeSantis signed a bill on Monday that would allow individuals to sue social media companies if they are censored and impose fines for Big Tech corporations should they ban elected officials from their platforms.
The Republican argued that the new legislation will reign in the Big Tech industry’s “power grab on speech, thought and content.”
“This session, we took action to ensure that ‘We the People’ — real Floridians across the Sunshine State — are guaranteed protection against the Silicon Valley elites,” DeSantis said in a statement.
“If Big Tech censors enforce rules inconsistently, to discriminate in favor of the dominant Silicon Valley ideology, they will now be held accountable.”
DeSantis tweeted that the bill levels the playing field between citizens and celebrities, many of whom are given free rein to spout liberal misinformation without fear of being de-platformed.
Today, Floridians are being guaranteed protection against the Silicon Valley power grab on speech, thought, and content. We the people are standing up to tech totalitarianism with the signing of Florida’s Big Tech Bill. https://t.co/cDewFJiEPk
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 24, 2021
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DeSantis Takes On Big Tech And Social Media
During the press conference to announce the bill tackling big tech and social media companies, DeSantis got into a heated exchange with a reporter who asked if he was doing the bidding of former President Donald Trump.
The Florida governor responded by pointing out that when somebody like the Supreme Leader of Iran is allowed to make death threats with impunity, but the President of the United States has his voice taken away, there is something seriously amiss.
“The bill is for everyday Floridians, this is what we’ve said and it will allow any Floridian to be able to provide what they’re doing,” DeSantis fired back.
“But I do think that’s another issue that has been brought to bear: When you de-platform the president of the United States but you let Ayatollah Khomeini talk about killing Jews, that is wrong,” he added as the crowd at the press conference cheered and gave him a standing ovation.
Florida’s Big Tech Bill is for everyday Floridians. We know there’s a problem when BIG TECH DEPLATFORMS THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES but they let AYATOLLAH KHAMENEI TALK ABOUT KILLING JEWS — THAT’S WRONG!
Watch full clip on rumble: https://t.co/nRBP0EOYBC pic.twitter.com/jNKAQLrENC
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 25, 2021
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Conservative Warrior Continues To Fight
DeSantis continues to position himself as a leading contender for the Republican nomination for President in 2024. This bill is another arrow in the quiver in trying to garner support from conservative voters who find him to be a fighter similar to Trump.
Earlier this month, in the face of growing pressure across the nation to defund the men and women who serve in law enforcement, DeSantis announced his state will be providing police officers, firefighters, and paramedics with $1,000 bonuses.
Some want to defund the police.
In Florida, we’re funding them & then some by providing all of our heroes $1,000 bonuses. This represents more than 174,000 first responders across the state!
??? pic.twitter.com/ZMcB9T620g
— Ron DeSantis (@GovRonDeSantis) May 5, 2021
DeSantis said police officers and first responders didn’t have the luxury to stay home during the pandemic, despite the way they were being maligned in the media and by Democrats.
“They were out there every single day, our police, our fire, our EMTs and they had to work more than they ever have, not just to deal with protecting us when the pandemic hit but then obviously how police were treated last year was a total disgrace and they had to put the uniform on,” he said.
DeSantis also signed an ‘anti-riot’ bill last month, legislation that enhances penalties for crimes committed during a riot.
He was a leader on states banning vaccine passports, and signed a new election law that includes restrictions on drop boxes and voting by mail.
Former President Trump said he would consider tapping Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis as his running mate should he make a comeback presidential bid in 2024 https://t.co/w1bf5k9YHf pic.twitter.com/rBAzNvZ5tM
— The Hill (@thehill) April 29, 2021
DeSantis is clearly the frontrunner when it comes to possibly run in place of Trump in 2024 as his credentials – especially this new Big Tech and social media bill – speak for themselves.
If the former President does throw his hat in the ring again during the next election, he has made it clear DeSantis would be given strong consideration as his running mate.
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