The Supreme Court on Monday declined to revive right-wing activist Laura Loomer’s racketeering lawsuit against Meta and Twitter, now known as X, alleging they conspired to suppress conservative political speech.
Loomer said the social media behemoths specifically targeted her 2020 and 2022 congressional campaigns in Florida, utilizing “government pressure, corporate collusion and biased content moderation” to stifle her ability to fundraise and connect with voters.
A federal judge threw out the lawsuit in 2023, finding that Loomer’s claims against Meta and X Corp. were barred because prior lawsuits addressed the same facts and they were shielded from liability for content moderation decisions under Section 230.
The judge also ruled that Loomer’s Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act claim failed, holding that her allegations amounted to lawful business conduct. In March, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit affirmed the dismissal, focusing primarily on Loomer’s failure to plead a RICO enterprise.
In her petition to the high court, Loomer argued that the appeals court erred.
“These issues are of paramount national importance, as they implicate the fairness of federal elections and the integrity of public discourse in the digital age,” her lawyer, John Pierce, wrote to the justices. “The Court’s review will provide critical clarity on these legal questions, ensure accountability for platforms and their collaborators, and safeguard democratic processes.”
Meta, X Corp. and the consumer goods corporation Procter & Gamble, another named defendant, waived their right to respond to Loomer’s petition.
Justice Samuel Alito recused from considering the petition.
