To the Editor:
Re “Trump’s Facebook Ban Upheld, Reviving Debate on Free Speech” (front page, May 6):
Facebook’s Oversight Board has given the company six months to consider whether Donald Trump should be permanently banned or should be subject to a lesser penalty. Mr. Trump is a dangerous person of poor character, as shown by his four chaotic years as president followed by his refusal to concede a duly conducted election and attempts to overturn it.
His abuse of democratic norms is more than enough to earn a permanent ban. But if Facebook, after careful consideration, decides to impose a lesser penalty, it is imperative that it include a written concession of the 2020 election and an unambiguous apology for trying to subvert the election.
Experience demonstrates that no penalty is likely to constrain Mr. Trump’s mendacity, but this is the very least that can be required to again allow him easy access to a country he has so sorely abused.
Nicholas W. Puner
West Tisbury, Mass.
To the Editor:
Contrary to much of the rhetoric surrounding Donald Trump’s ban from Facebook, this is not an issue of free speech.
Everyone has the right to free speech. Everyone does not have the right to the global transmission of his speech through a private company’s platform.
Similarly, everyone has the right to travel, but driving a car is a privilege that requires adherence to a body of rules. President Donald Trump abused his Facebook privileges by violating the applicable body of rules. He has an inviolable right to exercise his speech elsewhere.
Ron Meyers
New York
The writer is a lawyer.
To the Editor:
As reprehensible as the overwhelming majority of former President Donald Trump’s social media posts are, a permanent social media ban imposed on him would be a serious threat to the freedom that we all enjoy. I disagree with virtually all of the statements that Mr. Trump has made, but I also disagree with permanently banning him or his supporters from social media platforms.
I am both disgusted and tired of hearing about how people are swayed by the power of social media. People can also be persuaded by articles written in The New York Times or National Review. Does this mean that we should ban either of these publications?
My answer to this question is a resounding no. Having said this, reader beware. Just because it is posted on social media or written about in The New York Times or National Review does not make it the entire truth.
Charles R. Cronin Jr.
Hempstead, N.Y.
To the Editor:
Re “Lawmakers slam Facebook Oversight Board’s decision to uphold Trump ban” (Live briefing, May 5):
Ted Cruz asks, “For every liberal celebrating Trump’s social media ban, if the Big Tech oligarchs can muzzle the former President, what’s to stop them from silencing you?”
That’s an easy one: I’ve never incited an insurrection, and I don’t lie. Your turn, Senator Cruz.
Andrea R. Tebbets
Raleigh, N.C.