Say What?

(The Definitive Version)

So, there's government action, and there's actions by private parties. The former can be unconstitutional where the latter cannot.

“We hold that portions of the @realDonaldTrump account ― the ‘interactive space’ where Twitter users may directly engage with the content of the President’s tweets ― are properly analyzed under the ‘public forum’ doctrines set forth by the Supreme Court,” Buchwald said in her ruling.

That was in May; Judge Buchwald ruled that Trump couldn't block Twitter followers from his account.  Tuesday, Trump finally unblocked 7 followers.  This prompted joy in Twitterland, because Trump plays for Mudville:

Thank you to the Knight Foundation for legally forcing @realDonaldTrump to take out his sticky little phone, scrunch his nose, open Twitter, search my name, shout “Do I seriously have to fucking do this,” be told yes by Dan Scavino, take a deep breath, and click “Unblock.”

— Bess Kalb (@bessbell) August 29, 2018

I've just been unblocked from @realDonaldTrump...

One year. Three months.

I'm back, baby! https://t.co/Fe4oy6iFut

— Jules Suzdaltsev (@jules_su) August 28, 2018

NEW -- important update to this -- thanks to @KatieFallow and @knightcolumbia, I've been officially UNBLOCKED by @realDonaldTrump after 14 months

did I miss anything https://t.co/RI4PdyFl60

— J.D. Durkin (@jiveDurkey) August 28, 2018

And no, not everyone is rejoicing:

I’ve been blocked for more than 4 years ... and remain blocked. pic.twitter.com/UyLG8tsZFm

— Col. Morris Davis (@ColMorrisDavis) August 29, 2018

Is there a way I can get unblocked too?

— Ken Klippenstein (@kenklippenstein) August 29, 2018

still blocked pic.twitter.com/EdFDPElvRi

— ROSIE (@Rosie) August 29, 2018

But those who are, are exercising their Constitutional rights:

First order of business now that I’ve been #unblocked. pic.twitter.com/5iuf3jtg3N

— Jules Suzdaltsev (@jules_su) August 29, 2018

Oh my fucking god this feels so good. pic.twitter.com/5CuwDmNnI1

— Bess Kalb (@bessbell) August 29, 2018

And the difference is, these people are not the President of the United States.  Their Twitter feeds are not public fora as set forth by the Supreme Court.  Which is the difference between Google and Facebook deciding who can use their platforms, and for what purpose; and the use of such platforms by government officials, who can turn their sites and feeds into a public forum.  Trump is the one "treading on very troubled territory," not Google, or Facebook, or even private Twitter users.