Trump is no friend of freedom of speech

TL;DR

In her article "Donald Trump Is No Warrior for Free Speech," published in The Bulwark, Cathy Young critiques Trump's 2025 executive order, "Restoring Freedom of Speech and Ending Federal Censorship," arguing that it is more about political retaliation than actual free speech protection. While Trump claims to fight for free expression, his record shows a pattern of censorship, lawsuits, and intimidation against critics. The article also examines the Biden administration's alleged pressure on social media companies. It concludes that Trump's selective approach to free speech is hypocritical, defending speech only when it benefits him while suppressing dissent.

Cathy Young's article in The Bulwark critically examines Donald Trump's 2025 executive order, which claims to restore free speech by preventing federal government interference in online discourse. The order alleges that the Biden administration pressured social media platforms to censor political speech, particularly on COVID-19 misinformation.
While Trump presents himself as a champion of free speech, Young highlights his history of suppressing criticism and suing media organizations. For example, he has:
 

• He sued CBS and the Des Moines Register for publishing reports that were unfavorable to him.

• Threatened tech companies like Meta and Twitter for banning him after January 6, 2021.

• Weaponized legal action against political opponents and critics.

• Supported restrictions on academic discourse, such as bans on critical race theory (CRT) and gender studies.

 
The article acknowledges that the Biden administration did pressure social media companies to regulate misinformation but argues that this was not legally coercive. The Supreme Court ruled that Biden's actions did not violate the First Amendment, and content moderation policies were already in place under Trump's first term.
 
Young argues that while disinformation is a real issue, Trump's executive order rejects all regulation as "censorship," even when it might be necessary for national security and democracy. Ultimately, she contends that Trump's approach to free speech is opportunistic—defending speech when it benefits him but suppressing dissent when it threatens his power.
 

Concluding Reflections

Cathy Young's article exposes the contradictions in Trump's free speech stance. While framing himself as a defender of open discourse, he frequently attacks critics, manipulates legal systems, and suppresses unfavorable narratives. His 2025 executive order appears politically motivated, targeting Biden's policies while ignoring his censorship tendencies. True free speech advocacy requires consistency and neutrality, which Trump fails to uphold. "Free speech for me, but not for thee" perfectly encapsulates his approach.
 
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