A central promise of President Trump’s 2024 campaign was that, if elected, he would “restore free speech.” In September 2024, at a campaign rally in Wisconsin, Trump said, “I will bring back free speech in America because it’s been taken away.”
When they talk about "free speech," it simply refers to the freedom of FOX News and RW influencers to be able to spew made up nonsense like "Haitians are eating the dogs and cats." Or "COVID vaccines are more deadly than the disease." The entire RW media model is based on fabulism; or exaggeration/distortion. When they do get fact-checked, they either move to a new lie; or double down. Because they don't employ actual journalists or staff newsrooms, they have a higher profit margin.
The entire conservative movement that RW media enables exists primarily to give tax cuts to the 0.1%, and to corporations, so that their CEO's/CFO's can sell their low-tax juiced stock options, and join the 0.1%
I actually got the impression, during the Biden administration years, that they were more concerned about social media constraints/moderations/algorithmic limits on what could easily be considered "hate speech," but which the right wing felt were simply comments that should be allowed just like any others. Hence Elon's purchase of Twitter, to be rid of any limits whatsoever. Hence the rise of platforms like 4chan and TruthSocial. We've all seen what *that* kind of "free speech" becomes. It's certainly a slippery slope to begin categorizing some speech to be allowed while other speech is not, and therein lies the biggest challenge. But I didn't think they cared so much about what was on Networks. Only now does an article like this demonstrate the many, many ways that free speech rights can be trampled in order to attempt creation of a certain world view.
During COVID, the RW Influencers who spewed vaccine nonsense--like that it was deadlier than the virus, and so on--got banned. Because these same Influencers were also posting other pro-GOP and other RW content, and had friends within the GOP establishment, they were able to create a political response.
And thus the "Big Tech is out to silence conservative voices" meme was born.
I'd like to see the Dems pass a "Truth in Media" Bill, wherein any media show/periodical/e-Zine/podcast, etc., would have to clearly label itself as either "News" or Opinion." If the former, it would be subject to strict journalistic standards--like 2+ sources, fact-checking, links to actual studies, etc.--or be heavily fined if engaging in systematic violations.
Wow, this is a fairly expansive list. If you're a regular Pop Info reader, you're likely aware of a lot of this material, but even so, it helps you appreciate the breadth of the Trump administration's attacks on the First Amendment. It's also potentially a useful resource for trying to impress upon others the dangers of President Trump 2.0 amid attempts to normalize his behavior.
Yes. It is great to see it all laid out in one place. I was aware of almost all of it but it still had an impact to see it all together. Thanks, Rebecca and Judd
One thing not on the list, understandably, is the FTC's incipient effort to stop tech "censorship". I put the scare quotes around that because what they call censorship is often efforts to avoid amplifying disinformation -- and to enforce their own terms of service. As noted above, a lot of this issue started with COVID and virus information. Then, MAGA AGs tried (successfully in a lower court) to stop the government from even communicating with social media platforms.
This is not just fascism. This is the dumbest of dumb fascism. Ignorance celebrated moment by Adderall induced moment.
Now 70, I was remembering the daily elementary school requirement to stand, hand over heart, reciting the pledge of allegiance, which was nothing more than the same type of propaganda fed to Russians, N Koreans, and too many others around the world. Freedom and Justice for all NEVER was a thing in America and it's looking a lot more grim under the orange autocrat. George Carlin was spot on in pointing out that in America "It's All Bullshit and It's Bad For Ya". Thank you for this excellent, succinct, journalism.
As usual every idea, every fact, and all people and organizations that demonstrate extraordinary expertise and brilliance land up on the unfortunately inferiorly endowed Donald Trump's enemies list! How peculiar a man he is who insists on being surrounded by others of inferior learning and depth of experience. What a shallow and boring world he wants to create so that he will not be outshined.
To accomplish his ends, he declares the opposite of what is true, and also what is true for him: as per this article in which he claims to be an advocate for free speech. I remember Elon Musk coming into prominence advocating that his purpose was to promote FREE SPEECH.
Thank you Judd and Rebecca for this in-depth and important review of this topic and how it is now impacted in our country by this pitifully insecure man.
Free speech has gone the way of religious liberty at the hands of the right and their Republican pawns. Right winger are allowed to spew whatever hate, lies, bullshit and bile they wish directed at anyone. Everyone else is told to shut up or threatened. Same with religious liberty. The right claims the religious liberty to impose their perversion of the gospel on the rest of us, then claims to be persecuted when real Christians and others push back.
The pendulum will swing back and it will not go well for the right wing of today.
Too bad the tRump “administration” doesn’t spend a fraction of their time on healthcare, infrastructure, or anything that benefits the USA instead of lying, sowing hate and divisiveness, creating conflicts, and destroying our government and country. It’s pretty apparent now that tRUmp’s main goal is to become a dictator at least for his current term if not for life. Vance, Mike Johnson, or any of the liars in the GOP line of succession are no better.
In a way Johnson and Vance are even scarier than drump. They are truly evil people who talk religion but have no concept of what it means. They have all drunk the Project 2025 koolaid. Terrifying.
Wow, when I first started reading I thought maybe if you have legal citizenship in the administration's eyes, i.e. born here of citizen parents, then it wouldn't usually apply but I see even American citizens have been targets of attack, and not just for being a reporter. It looks like anytime you have contact with federal police or security you are at risk of being detained for questioning, no matter who you are or what you look like. Scary stuff.
Thank you for documenting history. Excellent compilation of the facts. They can put their spin on it any way they want but it’s still SUPRESSION of speech.
Clearly the man is a walking (barely able) contradiction. Say one thing, do another. It doesn't matter to those who think he is saving the country, they are blind.
Excellent summary. « Free speech for me, but not for thee. »…..and this list will only get longer!
When they talk about "free speech," it simply refers to the freedom of FOX News and RW influencers to be able to spew made up nonsense like "Haitians are eating the dogs and cats." Or "COVID vaccines are more deadly than the disease." The entire RW media model is based on fabulism; or exaggeration/distortion. When they do get fact-checked, they either move to a new lie; or double down. Because they don't employ actual journalists or staff newsrooms, they have a higher profit margin.
The entire conservative movement that RW media enables exists primarily to give tax cuts to the 0.1%, and to corporations, so that their CEO's/CFO's can sell their low-tax juiced stock options, and join the 0.1%
I actually got the impression, during the Biden administration years, that they were more concerned about social media constraints/moderations/algorithmic limits on what could easily be considered "hate speech," but which the right wing felt were simply comments that should be allowed just like any others. Hence Elon's purchase of Twitter, to be rid of any limits whatsoever. Hence the rise of platforms like 4chan and TruthSocial. We've all seen what *that* kind of "free speech" becomes. It's certainly a slippery slope to begin categorizing some speech to be allowed while other speech is not, and therein lies the biggest challenge. But I didn't think they cared so much about what was on Networks. Only now does an article like this demonstrate the many, many ways that free speech rights can be trampled in order to attempt creation of a certain world view.
During COVID, the RW Influencers who spewed vaccine nonsense--like that it was deadlier than the virus, and so on--got banned. Because these same Influencers were also posting other pro-GOP and other RW content, and had friends within the GOP establishment, they were able to create a political response.
And thus the "Big Tech is out to silence conservative voices" meme was born.
I'd like to see the Dems pass a "Truth in Media" Bill, wherein any media show/periodical/e-Zine/podcast, etc., would have to clearly label itself as either "News" or Opinion." If the former, it would be subject to strict journalistic standards--like 2+ sources, fact-checking, links to actual studies, etc.--or be heavily fined if engaging in systematic violations.
Oh yeah. I still monitor The Blaze and The Red State whicxh actually had some news at some point. Now, it's American Carnage 24/7/364.4!!!
We are going full dictatorship with thought police as a major wedge feature.
Wow, this is a fairly expansive list. If you're a regular Pop Info reader, you're likely aware of a lot of this material, but even so, it helps you appreciate the breadth of the Trump administration's attacks on the First Amendment. It's also potentially a useful resource for trying to impress upon others the dangers of President Trump 2.0 amid attempts to normalize his behavior.
Yes. It is great to see it all laid out in one place. I was aware of almost all of it but it still had an impact to see it all together. Thanks, Rebecca and Judd
One thing not on the list, understandably, is the FTC's incipient effort to stop tech "censorship". I put the scare quotes around that because what they call censorship is often efforts to avoid amplifying disinformation -- and to enforce their own terms of service. As noted above, a lot of this issue started with COVID and virus information. Then, MAGA AGs tried (successfully in a lower court) to stop the government from even communicating with social media platforms.
https://www.npr.org/2023/09/08/1197971952/biden-administration-fifth-circuit-ruling-social-media-injunction
Now, even though the tech firms have largely "obeyed in advance" (see below) the FTC started an inquiry.
https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2025/02/federal-trade-commission-launches-inquiry-tech-censorship
https://www.npr.org/2025/01/07/nx-s1-5251151/meta-fact-checking-mark-zuckerberg-trump
This is not just fascism. This is the dumbest of dumb fascism. Ignorance celebrated moment by Adderall induced moment.
Now 70, I was remembering the daily elementary school requirement to stand, hand over heart, reciting the pledge of allegiance, which was nothing more than the same type of propaganda fed to Russians, N Koreans, and too many others around the world. Freedom and Justice for all NEVER was a thing in America and it's looking a lot more grim under the orange autocrat. George Carlin was spot on in pointing out that in America "It's All Bullshit and It's Bad For Ya". Thank you for this excellent, succinct, journalism.
As usual every idea, every fact, and all people and organizations that demonstrate extraordinary expertise and brilliance land up on the unfortunately inferiorly endowed Donald Trump's enemies list! How peculiar a man he is who insists on being surrounded by others of inferior learning and depth of experience. What a shallow and boring world he wants to create so that he will not be outshined.
To accomplish his ends, he declares the opposite of what is true, and also what is true for him: as per this article in which he claims to be an advocate for free speech. I remember Elon Musk coming into prominence advocating that his purpose was to promote FREE SPEECH.
Thank you Judd and Rebecca for this in-depth and important review of this topic and how it is now impacted in our country by this pitifully insecure man.
"inferiorly endowed" I like your description.
Free speech has gone the way of religious liberty at the hands of the right and their Republican pawns. Right winger are allowed to spew whatever hate, lies, bullshit and bile they wish directed at anyone. Everyone else is told to shut up or threatened. Same with religious liberty. The right claims the religious liberty to impose their perversion of the gospel on the rest of us, then claims to be persecuted when real Christians and others push back.
The pendulum will swing back and it will not go well for the right wing of today.
Too bad the tRump “administration” doesn’t spend a fraction of their time on healthcare, infrastructure, or anything that benefits the USA instead of lying, sowing hate and divisiveness, creating conflicts, and destroying our government and country. It’s pretty apparent now that tRUmp’s main goal is to become a dictator at least for his current term if not for life. Vance, Mike Johnson, or any of the liars in the GOP line of succession are no better.
In a way Johnson and Vance are even scarier than drump. They are truly evil people who talk religion but have no concept of what it means. They have all drunk the Project 2025 koolaid. Terrifying.
Wow, when I first started reading I thought maybe if you have legal citizenship in the administration's eyes, i.e. born here of citizen parents, then it wouldn't usually apply but I see even American citizens have been targets of attack, and not just for being a reporter. It looks like anytime you have contact with federal police or security you are at risk of being detained for questioning, no matter who you are or what you look like. Scary stuff.
Wow. Seeing this all in one giant list is impactful. Even to someone who follows the news every day.
Thank you for documenting history. Excellent compilation of the facts. They can put their spin on it any way they want but it’s still SUPRESSION of speech.
Excellent article. We are sliding down a one way path to fascism!
American "Boots on the Ground",
Against American Citizens!
Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Bigotry, Misogyny, Grift and Fraud!
"The American Way"!
You’re not addressing the real issue and that is SCOTUS it has criminalized the government! The ISA is destabilizing.
What a article ! Keeping this one for the record. I am honestly very concerned but so grateful you are out there compiling this information.
An excellent overview, Rebecca and Judd. Thanks to you both for the very timely reminder of all the attacks of this administration.
Clearly the man is a walking (barely able) contradiction. Say one thing, do another. It doesn't matter to those who think he is saving the country, they are blind.