Probush.com
ProBush.com was created by Michael and Benjamin Marino, brothers from the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. Amidst heightened tension in the years following September 11th, the two brothers felt compelled to create a webpage which offered unconditional support of the 43rd US President, George W. Bush.
ProBush.com listed many celebrities and public personalities as "traitors" on its infamous "Traitor List". This led to a multimillion-dollar[1] lawsuit in 2003 which lasted several years, and included former US Senator James Abourezk, Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, and Jane Fonda.[2] Todd Epp of South Dakota was said to be the driving force behind the hotbed issue of free speech that had been created.[3][4]
Others included on the list were Susan Sarandon, Nancy Pelosi, Madonna, and Ray Wirth.[5]
The lawsuit lasted several years and ultimately ended in an undisclosed settlement.[6]
As of May 6, 2022, the website redirects to probiden.com, which sells shirts with messages supporting incumbent US president Joe Biden, including one telling former US president Donald Trump "You're Fired!"[7]
Further reading
- Digital Law Media Project: Abourezk v. ProBush.com
- Article: Website Lists 142 Traitors
- Article: First Amendment Threatened
- Article: Abourezk Sues Over ‘Traitor’ List
- Article: Web site won’t oppose adding Jane Fonda to ‘traitor list’ lawsuit
- Article: Settlement reached in Abourezk ‘traitor list’ lawsuit
References
- "Abourezk's Complaint" (PDF). Digital Media Law Project. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- "Abourezk v. ProBush.com". Digital Media Law Project.
- Sherrie, Gossett (23 November 2004). "First Amendment Threatened". Accuracy in Media. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- "Settlement reached in Abourezk 'traitor list' lawsuit". Archived from the original on 2014-03-31. Retrieved 2014-11-14.
- Rothschild, Matthew (May 11, 2003). "Website Lists 142 Traitors". The Progressive. Archived from the original on June 13, 2012. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
- "Web site won't oppose adding Jane Fonda to 'traitor list' lawsuit". Archived from the original on 2014-03-29. Retrieved 2014-11-14.
- "Official ProBiden.com gear!". ProBiden. Retrieved May 6, 2022.