Mixed Signals from Semafor Media How media drove America crazy, with Thomas Chatterton Williams
Aug 29, 2025
Thomas Chatterton Williams, a staff writer at The Atlantic and author of 'The Summer of Our Discontent,' dives into the media's influence on American culture and politics post-2020. He discusses how media narratives contributed to right-wing backlash and the complex ideological tensions shaping today's discourse. Williams also critiques leftist illiberalism, the significance of elite media like The New York Times, and the challenges of free speech in a polarized landscape. His insights reveal a fascinating connection between media and political shifts.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Moment George Floyd Video Pulled Him In
- Thomas Chatterton Williams describes logging into Twitter on May 26, 2020 and seeing the George Floyd video that 'knocked [him] out of [his] tracks.'
- That moment pulled him into the all-consuming online conversation that shaped his subsequent critiques.
Harper's Letter Origin Story
- Williams recounts organizing the Harper's Letter after James Bennett's firing at The New York Times over a Tom Cotton op-ed.
- The letter aimed to push back against what they saw as growing censoriousness on social media and in newsrooms.
Media Simplifies Complex Events Into Racial Frames
- Williams argues media often reframed events through an anti-racist lens even when actors were white, producing misleading narratives.
- He uses Kyle Rittenhouse and Joseph Rosenbaum to show how stories were simplified to fit racial binaries.
