KSL News Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GfmoC5b5Xx8
Salt Lake Tribune Article: https://www.sltrib.com/news/politics/2026/08/26/utah-senate-president-threatened/
Capital Preservation Board Meeting: https://www.utah.gov/pmn/sitemap/notice/1045411.html
Utah State Auditor — MIDA Transparency Website: https://transparent.utah.gov/mida/
What happens when an elected official sends a demand letter demanding that a podcast retract statements made during a recorded public discussion?
On August 19, 2026, Stuart Adams, Utah Senate President, made headlines across Utah after demand letters connected to statements from the June 28th God and Country Podcast became public. The story was first reported by the Salt Lake Tribune, followed by KSL News, before spreading across other news outlets throughout the state. Now, we tell the story from the beginning.
In this episode, we once again sit down with Tina Cannon to walk through the timeline of what happened, how the demand letter was delivered, what it demanded, and our decision regarding retraction. At the center of the dispute are allegations involving statements that were characterized as defamatory and potentially constituting defamation of character. Rather than simply back down, we examine the claims point-by-point and return to the public record to ask a fundamental question: Were the statements actually false—or can they be supported by the evidence?
THE CAPITAL ROTUNDA DISPUTE
The story begins with an attempt involving Tina Cannon's office space, Suite 260 in the Capital Building and the Utah State Capitol Rotunda. What followed included legal disputes, competing arguments, and ultimately a hearing before the Capital Preservation Board. In this episode, we revisit that entire chain of events. We play portions of the actual recorded Capital Preservation Board meeting and examine the statements made during the proceedings.
We also discuss the roles of Representative Tiara Auxier and Representative Mike Peterson, who spoke in support of Tina Cannon during the meeting. This isn't simply a story about one demand letter. It's a story about power, control, politics, public records, elected officials, and accountability in Utah. And it raises a question that has echoed throughout history: “Power corrupts. Absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
STUART ADAMS, DEMANDS & THE QUESTION OF RETRACTION
Why was a retraction demanded? What statements were challenged? What evidence exists in the public record? And what happens when a senate president challenges statements made by citizens and a media platform? We walk through the allegations surrounding Stuart Adams, the demand letter, the claims of defamation, and why the God and Country Podcast chose not to simply back down. We will not be bullied. This episode examines what some may view as bully tactics, while also allowing viewers to examine the underlying facts and public records for themselves.
THEN THE STORY GETS BIGGER: MIDA
Our conversation then moves beyond the Capitol and into one of Utah's most powerful and controversial government entities: MIDA — the Military Installation Development Authority. What is MIDA? How did it begin? How much power does it have? What projects has it been involved with? And what role does it play in Utah's development of data centers, including the controversial Stratos Project? The Utah State Auditor's Office has created a new public website compiling MIDA's history, projects, finances, and authority in one location. We explore what MIDA has been doing over the past several years—not just the Stratos Project—and examine the broader questions surrounding government power, transparency, accountability, and control.
This is a documentary-style deep dive into the Stuart Adams demand letter, Tina Cannon, the Capital Preservation Board, Utah politics, MIDA, the Stratos Project, and the growing debate over political power and accountability. We will not be bullied. We will follow the evidence. Watch the full episode, examine the public record, and decide for yourself.
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