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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 17h

I also explained how today’s attacks on expression echo past attempts to silence dissent.

Free speech isn’t about who controls the reins of power. It’s the foundation of liberty itself.

Read the full piece at @cnn.com: www.cnn.com/2025/10/11/p...

Analysis: Trump’s free speech backflip was 250 years in the making | CNN Politics

Trump’s complete turnabout on speech is indicative of the contradictions and ironies in the bedrock principle of the American liberties in the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment.

www.cnn.com

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 17h

At @cnn.com, I shared with @zbyronwolf.bsky.social that, when it comes to American history, free speech and racial equality are friends, not foes.

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 17h

From abolitionists jailed for spreading “dangerous ideas” to civil rights leaders who made free speech their shield—America’s most profound moral progress has depended on protecting speech we hate.

That’s the lesson we risk forgetting as we approach the U.S.’s 250th anniversary.

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Reposted by Jacob Mchangama

The Future of Free Speech @futurefreespeech.org · 18h

Read @zbyronwolf.bsky.social's full analysis of the state of free speech in the U.S., with more insights from @mchangama.bsky.social about the legacy of the civil rights movement and crackdowns on free expression in Europe. www.cnn.com/2025/10/11/p...

Analysis: Trump’s free speech backflip was 250 years in the making | CNN Politics

Trump’s complete turnabout on speech is indicative of the contradictions and ironies in the bedrock principle of the American liberties in the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment.

www.cnn.com

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Reposted by Jacob Mchangama

The Future of Free Speech @futurefreespeech.org · 18h

"Mchangama, on the other hand, hopes the American left will look at the Trump administration today and dial back on efforts to control speech.

"'Power changes hands,' @mchangama.bsky.social said."

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 1d

Want more insights and video highlights from the Summit?

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futurefreespeech.org

Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 1d

🔗 Be sure to read the full piece here:

Free speech is facing threats in the US and beyond. Here are the pressure points

Free speech took center stage as advocates, lawyers and experts from around the world convened recently at Vanderbilty University in Nashville.

www.usatoday.com

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 1d

At a time when free expression is under strain, our #FreeSpeechSummit2025 offered space for serious, principled debate about the First Amendment and the culture that sustains it.

Honored to see this crucial discussion in the spotlight from @usatoday.com:

The Future of Free Speech @futurefreespeech.org · 1d

🗣️ NASHVILLE − There's turmoil over the state of free speech in America.

The issue took center stage as free speech advocates, lawyers and experts from around the world convened recently at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.

#FreeSpeechSummit2025

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 3d

And stay tuned for more discussions from #FreeSpeechSummit2025 by subscribing to our email list: futurefreespeech.org/join-our-com...

Join Our Community

Sign up to receive occasional updates from The Future of Free Speech, including news, events, publications, and more!

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 3d

I highly encourage you to check out the full episode of The Good Fight podcast here: www.persuasion.community/p/the-good-f...

The Good Fight Club: Who’s a Hypocrite About Free Speech?

Yascha Mounk is joined by Renée DiResta, Jacob Mchangama, and Jonathan Rauch at the Global Free Speech Summit in Nashville!

www.persuasion.community

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 3d

But in the European Union, the categories of illegal speech continue to grow. Therefore, the DSA, coupled with Europe’s growing crackdown on speech, will inevitably lead to increased censorship and over-removal of online content.

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 3d

Another critical point we discussed was how the Digital Services Act works in practice. While it may not specify the exact content that platforms must remove, it does require them to take down illegal content.

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 3d

Thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Yascha Mounk, @noupside.bsky.social, and @jonrauch.bsky.social.

Some additional thoughts below ⏬

The Future of Free Speech @futurefreespeech.org · 4d

Defending free speech can be hard, especially when you disagree with it.

But during the live recording of The Good Fight podcast at our #FreeSpeechSummit2025, @mchangama.bsky.social said calling out hypocrisy when it comes to free speech advocacy is crucial.

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 4d

Read my full opening remarks here 👉

My Opening Remarks from The 2025 Global Free Speech Summit

A weekend of bold ideas, fearless voices, and a shared belief that free expression remains the foundation of every free society.

www.bedrockprinciple.com

Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 4d

From dissidents and journalists to scholars and technologists, the Summit showcased the best of what a free exchange of ideas can achieve.

Grateful to everyone who joined us for an unforgettable weekend of insight and inspiration.

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 4d

This weekend in Nashville, voices from every corner of the world came together around a simple truth: Free expression is still the foundation of every free and flourishing society.

#FreeSpeechSummit2025 reminded us what happens when courage meets open dialogue.

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 7d

Had a fascinating conversation with @noupside.bsky.social, Yascha Mounk, and @jonrauch.bsky.social in a live recording of The Good Fight podcast from Persuasion.

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 8d

Kicking off #FreeSpeechSummit2025 by setting the stage and introducing @vanderbilt.edu Chancellor Daniel Diermeier.

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 11d

Finally, you can read a round-up and further reflection on this 20th anniversary at The Bedrock Principle—tying together history, violence, law, and why I’ve dedicated my life to defending free speech.

20 Years Later: Reflecting on Cartoons, Free Speech, and The Rise of The 'Jihadist's Veto'

Twenty years ago today, a small Danish newspaper dared to publish 12 cartoons. Not bullets, not bombs. Just ink on paper. But those cartoons detonated a global firestorm.

www.bedrockprinciple.com

Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 11d

On The @thefreethinkermag.bsky.social podcast, I chat with @danieljamessharp.bsky.social about Islam, blasphemy, and free speech—20 years on from Jyllands-Posten. youtu.be/B2Z0oww_SQc?...

Islam and free speech, 20 years on from Jyllands-Posten: interview with Jacob Mchangama

YouTube video by Freethinker UK

youtu.be

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 11d

At @telegraphnews.bsky.social, I show how Britain went from being a beacon of free speech to punishing peaceful protest—while excusing violence committed in the name of offense. www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/09...

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 11d

You can read Read a French translation in @lepoint.fr

Liberté d’expression en Europe : 20 ans après les caricatures de Mahomet

En 2005, les caricatures du « Jyllands-Posten » devaient tester la tolérance. Vingt ans plus tard, c’est la peur qui dicte la loi, et la liberté d’expression qui est en train de perdre la bataille.

www.lepoint.fr

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 11d

In Persuasion, I explain why Europe learned the wrong lessons from the Cartoon Crisis—trading away liberty for a false sense of peace.

Europe Learned Nothing From the Danish Cartoon Affair

Twenty years later, blasphemy laws continue to stalk free societies.

www.persuasion.community

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Jacob Mchangama @mchangama.bsky.social · 11d

20 years ago, 12 cartoons shook the world.

They sparked riots, terror attacks, and a lasting question: Do democracies still have the courage to defend free speech when it offends?

A short thread on why this moment still matters 🧵

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Reposted by Jacob Mchangama

The Future of Free Speech @futurefreespeech.org · Sep 10

No one should ever be subjected to violence for sharing their opinion, no matter how unpopular. In a free and pluralistic society, we must accept that words are not violence, and we must condemn anyone who resorts to physical harm in response to speech they don’t like.

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