Exploring the Paradoxes of Free Speech Absolutism

This chapter examines the nuances of free speech absolutism and the contradictions that arise when public figures label themselves as such while imposing consequences on journalists. The discussion highlights the interplay of social media, government influence, and the classification of online platforms as public forums.

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From JD Vance’s free speech critique of Europe to the Trump administration barring the Associated Press from the Oval Office, free speech news is buzzing. General Counsel Ronnie London and Chief Counsel Bob Corn-Revere unpack the latest developments.

Timestamps:

00:00 Intro

01:49 JD Vance’s speech in Europe

13:27 Margaret Brennan’s comment on the Holocaust

15:13 Weimar fallacy

17:36 Trump admin v. Associated Press

21:33 DEI executive order

27:39 Trump’s lawsuits targeting the media

28:54 FIRE defending Iowa pollster Ann Selzer

32:29 Concerns about the FCC under Brendan Carr

44:09 2004 Super Bowl and the FCC

46:25 FCC’s history of using the “Section 230 threat”

49:14 Newsguard and the FCC

54:48 Elon Musk and doxxing

59:44 Foreigners and the First Amendment

01:05:19 Outro

Read the transcript here.

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Show notes:

- “Vice President JD Vance delivers remarks at the Munich Security Conference” The White House (2025)

- “Utterly bizarre assertion from Margaret Brennan…” Michael Tracey via X (2025)

- “Rubio defends Vance's Munich speech as CBS host suggests 'free speech' caused the Holocaust” FOX News (2025)

- “Posting hateful speech online could lead to police raiding your home in this European country” 60 Minutes (2025)

- “AP reporter and photographer barred from Air Force One over ‘Gulf of Mexico’ terminology dispute” AP News (2025)

- “FIRE statement on White House denying AP Oval Office access” FIRE (2025)

- “Ending radical and wasteful government DEI programs and preferencing” The White House (2025)

- “Meta to pay $25 million to settle 2021 Trump lawsuit” The Wall Street Journal (2025)

- “Trump settles suit against Elon Musk’s X over his post-Jan. 6 ban” AP News (2025)

- “Questions ABC News should answer following the $16 million Trump settlement” Columbia Journalism Review (2025)

- “Trump v. Selzer: Donald Trump sues pollster J. Ann Selzer for ‘consumer fraud’ over Iowa poll” FIRE (2025)