Senator Schmitt Demands Answers from Tech Giants on Free Speech Policies Ahead of 2024 Election

Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) has reached out to the CEOs of Facebook and Google, urging them to clarify their policies regarding free speech censorship as the 2024 presidential election approaches. In a letter addressed to Meta's Mark Zuckerberg and Google's Sundar Pichai, Schmitt expressed alarm over what he perceives as increasing attacks on free speech facilitated by these tech giants. He emphasized the importance of maintaining free and open discourse for a fair electoral process, particularly in light of past incidents during the 2020 election. Schmitt, who previously served as Missouri's attorney general, referenced his lawsuit against the Biden administration, alleging that government officials colluded with social media companies to suppress speech under the pretext of combating misinformation. He pointed to specific instances, including the recent censorship of information regarding an assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump, as evidence of this troubling trend. Schmitt argued that such actions undermine democratic principles and called for accountability from the tech companies. In his letter, Schmitt posed several critical questions to Pichai and Zuckerberg, seeking clarity on their platforms' roles in suppressing free speech during the last election and their plans to safeguard it moving forward. He also demanded explanations for the censorship of information related to the Trump assassination attempt, asserting that the suppression of truthful information must cease. As an elected representative, Schmitt vowed to advocate for the free speech rights of Missourians and Americans alike, positioning himself against perceived threats from both the Biden administration and major tech companies.