The Monocle Daily Is the long-feared US civil-liberties crackdown finally here?
Sep 18, 2025
Marion Messmer, a Senior Research Fellow at Chatham House, and Marta Lorimer, a Politics Lecturer at Cardiff University, dive into the U.S. crackdown on free speech. They discuss how pressures from political figures target late-night hosts, fostering a culture of self-censorship in media and universities. The conversation expands to social cohesion, examining community support initiatives in London and the backdrop of protests in France. They also touch on AI advancements and the influence of smartphones on modern conflicts, revealing the complexities of today's political landscape.
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Targeting Satire Signals Political Intolerance
- The Trump administration targets late-night hosts as part of a broader tactic to silence dissent and punish critics.
- Marta Lorimer and Marion Messmer warn this reflects authoritarian playbooks that threaten long-term democratic norms.
'Free Speech' Used As A Political Tool
- Right‑wing claims of defending free speech often mean protecting their own expression while silencing opponents.
- Marta Lorimer says figures like J.D. Vance weaponize 'free speech' rhetoric to justify doxxing and job‑targeting campaigns.
Preemptive Censorship Can Backfire Economically
- Corporations and institutions preemptively censor or self‑censor to avoid political backlash, but doing so can harm their bottom line.
- Marion Messmer cites Target's retreat from DEI as an example where compliance didn't protect revenue.
