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July 7 (UPI) -- Former U.S. president Donald Trump announced Wednesday that he is suing Facebook, Twitter and Google and their CEOs on claims that they censored him. Trump was suspended indefinitely from Twitter in January, citing concerns that he would further incite violence after his supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6. Facebook banned Trump's account until January 2023, at which time it will re-evaluate the account.
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He filed the class-action suits in the U.S. District Court in Florida's southern district as the lead plaintiff.
"We're demanding an end to the shadow-banning, a stop to the silencing and a stop to the blacklisting, banishing and canceling that you know so well," Trump said at a news conference at his Bedminster, New Jersey golf course, according to The Washington Post.
The filing seeks injunctive relief to allow the restoration of his social media accounts and punitive damages on all three social media platforms.
His effort is supported by America First Policy Institute, a non-profit organization focusing on perpetuating Trump's policies through a legal entity called Constitutional Litigation Partnership.
During his presidency, Trump signed an executive order meant to limit the legal protections that shield social media companies from liability for the content users post. President Joe Biden revoked the order in May.
