Heather Mac Donald, a Thomas W. Smith Fellow at the Manhattan Institute and author of "When Race Trumps Merit," shares her insights on free speech issues during the Trump administration. She discusses her own experiences of being silenced and highlights the plight of canceled professors like Amy Wax and Carole Hooven. Mac Donald critiques Trump’s controversial interactions with the media and his executive orders impacting law firms. She raises concerns about campus censorship while advocating for open dialogue and the protection of dissenting viewpoints.
59:40
forum Ask episode
web_stories AI Snips
view_agenda Chapters
menu_book Books
auto_awesome Transcript
info_circle Episode notes
question_answer ANECDOTE
Campus Shoutdown Experience
Heather Mac Donald was shouted down by 300 protesters at Claremont McKenna while discussing her book on policing.
The event ended early and she was escorted out in an unmarked police van due to volatility.
insights INSIGHT
Campus Intellectual Monoculture
Intellectual monoculture on campuses enforces orthodoxies through informal censorship and career risks.
Professors challenging systemic racism or diversity orthodoxy face silencing or firing.
insights INSIGHT
Concern Over Government Overreach
Trump administration’s methods of enforcing free speech can undermine neutral, content-free governance.
Using government power to coerce universities risks setting a dangerous precedent regardless of political goals.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
The book critiques Bill Clinton's presidency, covering topics such as his character, policies, and scandals. Hitchens analyzes Clinton's political career, scrutinizing his actions and statements. The book is known for its sharp criticism and detailed examination of Clinton's public life. Hitchens presents a critical perspective on the Clinton administration, raising questions about its ethics and effectiveness. It has stirred discussions and debates among political observers and readers.
When Race Trumps Merit
Heather Mac Donald
In this book, Heather Mac Donald argues that the current emphasis on achieving racial proportionality in various institutions is leading to a decline in excellence and an erosion of civilizational achievements. She contends that racial disparities are more accurately explained by academic skills gaps and differences in criminal offending rather than systemic racism. The book critiques the 'disparate impact' legal theory and its effects on fields such as medical school admissions, scientific research grants, and law enforcement, arguing that these changes threaten lives and civilizational progress.
Heather Mac Donald discusses the Trump administration’s free speech record amidst its battles with higher ed, mainstream media, law firms, and more.
Enjoy listening to the podcast? Donate to FIRE today and get exclusive content like member webinars, special episodes, and more. If you became a FIRE Member through a donation to FIRE at thefire.org and would like access to Substack’s paid subscriber podcast feed, please email sotospeak@thefire.org.
So to Speak: The Free Speech Podcast 
