So much has taken place over the last four years that Americans across the board have found objectionable. One of the starkest examples may be what happened to our constitutional right to free speech.
Way too many individuals on social media found themselves in situations in which they were censored, persecuted, and punished over statements made on forums that were formerly thought to be free-wielding platforms.
Editorial pieces with "unapproved" content were shelved by newspapers and kept from public view.
Cable TV anchors heard whispers from producers, instructing them to change subjects should conversations happen to veer into "taboo" territory.
Public figures, which included political candidates, were vilified for bringing up "inconvenient" truths.
Labels, including "conspiracy theorist," "extremist," "wingnut," and worse, were slapped on many who refused to wear the muzzle, thereby harming their reputations while simultaneously silencing them.
I could go on, but sadly the list is seemingly an endless one.
Yes, free expression took a major hit, but hope is truly on the horizon, thanks to President elect Donald J. Trump, his close-knit circle, loyal supporters, and slew of newfound like-minded influential allies, including Elon Musk, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Tucker Carlson, Tulsi Gabbard, and Joe Rogan, to name a few.
Uber entrepreneur and "Dark MAGA" creator Musk recently shared a video which had been posted a while back. It features President elect Trump setting forth his plan to safeguard and restore free speech if (and now when) he assumes office.
In the video, he elaborates on the indispensable nature of free speech to our nation’s constitutional values, stating, "If we don’t have free speech, then we just don’t have a free country."
He offers the additional warning that if freedom of expression were to continue to erode, other indispensable rights would fall like "dominoes."
President elect Trump’s plans to restore First Amendment freedoms involve commonsense steps, including the following:
—The issuing of an executive order banning any federal department or agency from colluding with outside organizations to censor the speech of Americans.
—A prohibition on government money being used to label any domestic speech as “misinformation” or “disinformation.”
—A review of the federal workforce to identify and replace those involved in censoring speech.
—An effort to seek the reform of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, which currently provides immunity for tech platforms. Modification would include placing limits on the power of tech companies to arbitrarily restrict lawful speech.
—The stopping of funding organizations that contribute to censorship, including colleges and universities that promote or engage in inappropriate or unlawful censorship.
—The creation of a "Digital Bill of Rights" that would ensure citizens have due process, that users are informed when their content is removed, that individuals are given clear reasons for decisions made, and that the right to appeal is in place, making judicial review and approval a prerequisite for the removal of certain online content.
Such policies will go a long way toward restoring our constitutional right to free speech.
Interestingly, on the day before the 2024 presidential election, two powerful media figures sat down for a conversation about the issues at stake in the then-looming election.
Musk spoke with Rogan.
After praising Musk for his purchase of Twitter, Rogan said, "I'm not exaggerating when I say you changed the course of history."
The preeminent podcaster was talking about free expression.
Rogan explained that censorship and de-platforming by social media had severely impeded free speech across the U.S. landscape.
"We were headed down a path of unprecedented censorship and narrative control," Rogan said to Musk.
What he was referring to is the notion that for speech to be free and remain an existing fundamental right, it must be free from government interference and corporate censorship.
The American notion of freedom cannot exist without these guardrails.
In great part, the understanding of the value of free speech to liberty and the commitment to end censorship have led to the formation of a powerful coalition of superheroes from all sides of the political aisle.
This coalition greatly contributed to the electoral earthquake that just occurred in our country.
Get ready to once again be able to agree and/or disagree to our hearts’ content.
And in between discussions and debates, breathe in the sweet air of free speech.
James Hirsen, J.D., M.A., in media psychology, is a New York Times best-selling author, media analyst, and law professor. Visit Newsmax TV Hollywood. Read James Hirsen's Reports — More Here.