The Moynihan Report Debating Charlottesville: Trump’s response and the free speech fight | The Moynihan Report
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Aug 27, 2025 
Deborah Baker, an acclaimed author and finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, joins to discuss her book about the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. She explores the motivations behind extremist groups and the complexities of free speech in this charged atmosphere. The conversation delves into Trump's controversial remarks, local sentiments post-rally, and how historical narratives shape current debates on race and identity. Baker emphasizes the importance of prioritizing local voices and understanding the multifaceted implications of these events.
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Media Missed The Local Story
- Deborah Baker argues media focused on spectacle over local community responses after Charlottesville.
- She emphasizes understanding how locals prepared and defended neighborhoods against the rally.
Center Local Voices In Coverage
- Prioritize local voices when reporting on extremist events to capture real community impact.
- Focus on how residents prepared, defended neighborhoods, and were affected long-term.
Location Shaped The Threat
- Baker says the ACLU misread the threat and defended the rally's right to be in a vulnerable location.
- She notes moving the rally to a larger park would have better protected public safety and free speech.
