logo
episode-header-image
Sep 2025
52m 18s

How America Became a Nation of "Free Spe...

The Ringer
About this episode
The past few weeks have marked a low point for free speech principles in America. The head of the FCC openly threatened ABC for the language of a comedian. The president told a reporter that networks that are "against" him should have their licenses revoked. The vice president went on TV and told Americans to turn in their colleagues if they spoke ill of Cha ... Show More
Up next
Yesterday
The Six Lessons of the 2026 Midterms
Ten years after Donald Trump stunned the world by winning the 2016 election, his political movement may be approaching its end. Tuesday’s midterms delivered a historic rebuke to the Republican Party, with Democrats making astonishing gains in states Trump carried comfortably just ... Show More
1h 9m
Nov 3
The Midterms and the End of the Boomer Political Era
Well, it’s midterm day in America, and on my mind are three huge questions for tonight. Number 1: How much water is in the blue wave? Number 2: Everyone’s talking about the cost of living, inflation, and affordability, but who actually wants to do something about it? And number 3 ... Show More
1h 13m
Oct 30
The Netflix Crisis Isn’t What It Seems
No matter how you look at it, Netflix is having a pretty bad year. Stock is down, growth has slowed, the company recently laid off roughly 1,000 people, and it dismissed its chief content officer and its head of film. After a decade of explosive growth and dominance over traditio ... Show More
54m 1s
Recommended Episodes
Sep 2025
Jimmy Kimmel and Free Speech in the United States
<p>The aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination and the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel are creating concerns and conversations about the state of free speech in the United States.</p><p>Rachel Abrams, Jim Rutenberg, Jeremy W. Peters and Adam Liptak, all journalists f ... Show More
30m 16s
Sep 2025
What is the future of US dissent in the post-Charlie Kirk era?
A wave of firings has followed since the killing of controversial right-wing activist Charlie Kirk. From TV hosts and journalists to professors, critics who spoke honestly about his record have faced consequences, even as Kirk is elevated as a martyr by the right. What does this ... Show More
23m 57s
Sep 2025
Trump Promises Free Speech Crackdown
In response to the murder of Charlie Kirk, Donald Trump vows retribution against his political opponents, JD Vance asks Americans to snitch on anyone criticizing Kirk's politics, and Stephen Miller pledges to "disrupt, dismantle, and destroy" left-wing organizations. Jon, Lovett, ... Show More
1h 20m
Sep 2025
Who Really Needs the First Amendment Anyway?
The Trump administration is blatantly and disturbingly waging a war against free speech in this country. With the most recent news that late-night show host Jimmy Kimmel was canceled following jokes discussing the Charlie Kirk assassination, it is clear that the government is set ... Show More
32m 31s
Sep 2025
EP:13 - Is #FreeSpeech in America Hanging by a Thread?
When tragedy strikes, principles are tested. The assassination of Charlie Kirk has exposed fault lines in how Americans approach free speech, revealing a disturbing willingness to abandon constitutional protections during moments of crisis. Scott and Daryl navigate this treachero ... Show More
1h 30m
Sep 2025
Charlie Kirk Criticism Ignites MAGA Cancel Culture Spree | Jay Duplass & Michael Strassner
Desi Lydic unpacks the toxic internet landscape in the aftermath of Charlie Kirk’s assassination, where members of the Trump administration have called for people to lose their jobs for criticizing Kirk, the attorney general has seemingly forgotten the meaning of free speech, and ... Show More
35m 11s
Sep 2025
How Free Expression Is Under Threat In America
The assassination of Charlie Kirk and other recent incidents of political violence have instilled fear in many members of Congress. Those who worry they could be the next targets are requesting increased security and canceling public events. Tennessee Republican Congressmen Tim B ... Show More
33m 1s