Trump bans two Brits from the US in free speech spat as ‘witch hunt’ sparks global outrage

Five Europeans have been accused by Marco Rubio of leading “organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize, and suppress American viewpoints they oppose”

Donald Trump’s administration has come out hard against five foreign nationals (

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By

Charlie JonesSenior US Reporter

• 07:22 ET, DEC 24 2025
• Updated07:48 ET, DEC 24 2025

• |Bookmark

Donald Trump has banned two UK nationals from entering the US over claims they wish to “suppress American viewpoints they oppose.”

Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate, and Clare Melford, who runs the Global Disinformation Index, were among five Europeans hit with the visa bans.

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Yesterday US secretary of state Marco Rubio issued a statement, which read: “The State Department is taking decisive action against five individuals who have led organized efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize, and suppress American viewpoints they oppose.

“These radical activists and weaponized NGOs have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states—in each case targeting American speakers and American companies. As such, I have determined that their entry, presence, or activities in the United States have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.”

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