Is Trump weaponizing lawsuits to silence critics and reshape media coverage?

On this timely episode of the Tara Palmeri Show, Tara speaks with media law professor Stuart Brotman about his new book, Free Expression Under Fire: Defending Free Speech and Free Press Across the Political Spectrum. The conversation explores the shifting landscape of free speech protections, from Trump's aggressive legal actions against outlets like the Wall Street Journal, pollsters, and others, to FCC pressures on broadcasters, DHS subpoenas targeting anti-ICE critics, and the broader cultural forces of cancel culture and self-censorship. Brotman breaks down how both sides of the political spectrum are challenging free expression—through government overreach, private pressures, and selective enforcement—while highlighting legal safeguards like anti-SLAPP laws and Supreme Court precedents that protect journalists and individuals.

What strategies are powerful figures using to make journalism more expensive and risky, and how might independent media and platforms like YouTube change the game for free press in this era?

Stuart Brotman's book 'Free Expression Under Fire: Defending Free Speech and Free Press Across the Political Spectrum':

https://a.co/d/02sOt8sG

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Tara Palmeri is one of the most feared and fearless reporters covering power and politics. She has 15 years of experience covering national politics and foreign affairs. She was formerly a White House Correspondent for ABC News where she covered the first Trump administration. She was the chief National Correspondent for POLITICO during the Biden administration. She has been a political analyst for CNBC, CBS and CNN. She started her career as a columnist for the Washington Examiner and then went on to report for the New York Post. She was a foreign correspondent for POLITICO Europe, where she covered international affairs, including Brexit. She hosted the Ringer's political podcast "Somebody's Gotta Win" and wrote a column for Puck. Tara also hosted two acclaimed podcasts on Jeffrey Epstein, "Broken: Jeffrey Epstein" and "Power: The Maxwells." Tara currently hosts the Tara Palmeri Show.

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How Trump is Controlling the Free Press with Lawsuits

Chapters:

00:00 Welcome to the Tara Palmeri Show

00:07 Stuart Brotman joins the Tara Palmeri Show

01:11 Shift in free speech champions on the right

02:17 Trump's lawsuits against media and pollsters

03:44 Cancel culture and private pressures on speech

05:26 Self-censorship in workplaces and society

07:53 Supreme Court ruling on private social media posts

11:01 Stephen Colbert and FCC equal opportunities rules

14:51 FCC independence and potential presidential control

17:57 DHS subpoenas targeting anti-ICE critics

20:37 Don Lemon prosecution under FACE Act

26:34 Lawfare through massive defamation suits

28:54 Media ownership and independent journalism rise

32:12 Importance of diverse voices in free expression

34:44 Thanks for watching the Tara Palmeri Show

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