Censorship, Scandal, and Scrutiny — a glimpse into the precedents for a criminal probe heating up against the Trump Organization.
Former President Donald Trump’s complete ban from social media following the January 6th Capitol insurrection sparked a nationwide debate about freedom of speech, but an ongoing criminal investigation into his business practices may quell lasting ambiguity about his true transgressions both in and out of the Oval office.
After openly voicing his support for Capitol insurrectionists during an attempted coup on January 6th, former President Donald Trump was banned from posting on all social media platforms, and his accounts were promptly suspended on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. Social media companies which silenced Trump claimed that he violated terms of use by posting rhetoric that could incite further violence amid tensions outside of the U.S. Capitol building. Almost half a year later, the former president’s once frenzied accounts are now entirely inactive. His Facebook page was last updated on the day of the infamous Capitol breach, and his previously drama-laden Twitter is now simply a blank page purged of all controversial content which led to his suspension.
The censorship of Donald Trump has generated mixed reactions across the nation, causing yet another partisan divide after a contentious year for politics in the U.S. After nearly 6 months of silence, the former president’s loyal supporters are calling for his social media suspension to be lifted, though companies which have implemented restrictions are now weighing permanent bans.
According to a survey conducted by the Pew Research Center, roughly 49% of U.S. adults believe that Trump’s accounts should be banned indefinitely, whereas half argue in favor of a temporary social media pause. Despite claims that the controversial social media ban is an infringement of Trump’s individual freedom of speech, oversight boards for major social media networks like Facebook are upholding their penalties given the seriousness of the violations and the ongoing risk of violence they posed at the time of the insurrection. As all eyes fall upon an intensifying investigation into Trump’s corporate offenses before and during his presidency, his indefinite social media ban leaves him voiceless at a pivotal moment for the future of his business.
New York Attorney General Letitia James initially launched a civil investigation into the Trump Organization two years ago following reports of hush-money payments for women who allegedly slept with Trump as well as issues with employee compensation and fraudulent property valuations involving Trump’s business and real estate holdings. The probe began as a civil matter involving potential violations of state laws which would lead to hefty fines for Trump and his business team. James, however, recently informed the Trump Organization that her team is now investigating the company in a criminal capacity, though the AG offered no explanation for the sudden case shift.
The new investigation suggests new access to damning information against the Trump Organization, likely following a legal battle launched by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr. to get access to Trump’s tax records. Vance’s investigation highlights possible tax evasion by the Trump team as well as off-the-books employee compensation involving property estates and money for school tuition. Ivanka and Eric Trump have also come under scrutiny for their specific roles in corporate wrongdoing in connection with their business savvy father.
In response to the heightened investigation announced earlier this week, Trump penned a lengthy statement condemning New York’s expansive inquiry into his trademark company, revitalizing claims of a “witch hunt” against him. Frustrated by his muted social media accounts, Trump launched “From the Desk of Donald Trump” in early May, an online platform where he regularly updates a blog about politics, business, and his former presidency. Trump’s team is reportedly working on its own social network internally called the “Trump Media Group,” which will be launched sometime this summer.
Trapped by legal barriers and widespread censorship, Donald Trump’s voiceless presence behind the scenes of corporate business and D.C. politics is now marked by scandal and censure. His once roaring rhetoric that polarized the country is stifled to a powerless hum on the outskirts of social media, where his prestige falters in the wake of new allegations.
