President Trump wasted no time making headlines this week, signing an executive order that promises to "restore freedom of speech" and end what he calls "federal censorship" of Americans. The move, which bans federal officials from actions that "unconstitutionally abridge free speech," has sparked a firestorm of debate.

The order directs the attorney general to investigate whether the Biden administration attempted to censor citizens, particularly around hot-button issues like the COVID-19 pandemic and elections. Trump and his supporters argue this is a much-needed step to protect conservative voices from being silenced online.

But not everyone’s cheering. Disinformation experts are sounding the alarm, calling the order “a direct assault on reality.” Nina Jankowicz, CEO of the American Sunlight Project, warns that it “canonizes lies and conspiracy theories,” emboldening both foreign actors and those who profit from spreading false information. “Disinformation is not a partisan issue; it’s a democracy issue,” she said.

Others point out the potential risks to national security. John Wihbey, a media and technology expert, notes that while there are valid concerns about government overreach, the order could harm crucial collaborations between tech companies and agencies like the FBI. “The vast majority of tech-government contact is around national security, not political speech,” he explained.

Adding to the complexity, major social media platforms have already started rolling back fact-checking programs. Meta, for instance, recently ditched its fact-checking efforts and loosened rules on hate speech, a move that followed intense criticism from Trump and other Republicans.

Alex Abdo of Columbia University’s Knight First Amendment Institute warns the order could backfire, allowing the new administration to engage in its own form of censorship. “It suggests the goal is to rewrite history to suit its own agenda,” he said.

Experts agree: without robust efforts to combat misinformation, the consequences could be dire. Alia Dastagir, a journalist specializing in online abuse, highlights how disinformation often fuels harassment and violence, silencing vulnerable voices.

As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: the clash over free speech and misinformation is far from over. This executive order may be just the beginning.