Uploaded September 2025 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Ben Bayer and Mike Mazza analyze the recent debate about free speech surrounding the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel by ABC.
Among the topics covered:
0:00 Background and Context
4:34 Threats by Carr and Trump
12:34 Worse than Censorship
18:10 Not a Private, Market Decision
25:29 Comparing Trump and Biden
31:09 Tribalism about Free Speech
39:46: Against the FCC “Public Interest” Standard
50:09 Content Neutral Regulation
Recommended in this podcast are Ayn Rand’s essay, “‘Have Gun, Will Nudge’,” [ari.aynrand.org/issues/government-and-business/regulations/pov-have-gun-will-nudge/] from The Objectivist Newsletter on March 1962, her book “The Property Status of the Airwaves,” in Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal [amazon.com/Capitalism-Ideal-Ayn-Rand/dp/0451147952], Tara Smith’s book The First Amendment: Essays on the Imperative of Intellectual Freedom [amazon.com/First-Amendment-Imperative-Intellectual-Freedom/dp/B0D5H9FVDW], and Greg Salmieri’s essay “Free Speech as a Right and a Way of Life.” [new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/free-speech-as-a-right-and-a-way?utm_source=publication-search]
The podcast was recorded on September 25, 2025 and posted the same day. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here: newideal.aynrand.org/podcasts/.
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
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******
Join an upcoming virtual or in-person event: ari.aynrand.org/events
Visit ARI’s website for more about our content and programs: ari.aynrand.org
In this episode of The Ayn Rand Institute Podcast, Ben Bayer and Mike Mazza analyze the recent debate about free speech surrounding the suspension of Jimmy Kimmel by ABC.
Among the topics covered:
0:00 Background and Context
4:34 Threats by Carr and Trump
12:34 Worse than Censorship
18:10 Not a Private, Market Decision
25:29 Comparing Trump and Biden
31:09 Tribalism about Free Speech
39:46: Against the FCC “Public Interest” Standard
50:09 Content Neutral Regulation
Recommended in this podcast are Ayn Rand’s essay, “‘Have Gun, Will Nudge’,” [ari.aynrand.org/issues/government-and-business/regulations/pov-have-gun-will-nudge/] from The Objectivist Newsletter on March 1962, her book “The Property Status of the Airwaves,” in Capitalism: The Unknown Ideal [amazon.com/Capitalism-Ideal-Ayn-Rand/dp/0451147952], Tara Smith’s book The First Amendment: Essays on the Imperative of Intellectual Freedom [amazon.com/First-Amendment-Imperative-Intellectual-Freedom/dp/B0D5H9FVDW], and Greg Salmieri’s essay “Free Speech as a Right and a Way of Life.” [new-ideal.aynrand.org/p/free-speech-as-a-right-and-a-way?utm_source=publication-search]
The podcast was recorded on September 25, 2025 and posted the same day. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Watch archived podcasts here: newideal.aynrand.org/podcasts/.
Subscribe to ARI’s YouTube channel to make sure you never miss a video:
youtube.com/subscription_center?add_user=AynRandInstitute
Download or stream free courses on Ayn Rand’s works and ideas with the Ayn Rand Institute app:
– App Store itunes.apple.com/us/app/ayn-rand-university/id1452535178?mt=8
– Google Play play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.aynrandu
ARI is funded by donor contributions. You can support our work by becoming an ARI Member or making a one-time contribution: ari.aynrand.org/donate
Explore these ideas further! ARI's online publication, New Ideal, explores pressing cultural issues from the perspective of Ayn Rand’s philosophy, Objectivism: newideal.aynrand.org
******
Keep in Touch! Sign up to receive email updates from ARI: aynrand.org/signup
Follow ARI on Twitter: twitter.com/AynRandInst
Follow ARI on Facebook: facebook.com/AynRandInstitute
Follow ARI on Instagram: instagram.com/aynrandorg
Subscribe to the ARI Live! podcast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ayn-rand-institute-live/id1440399458
******
Join an upcoming virtual or in-person event: ari.aynrand.org/events
Visit ARI’s website for more about our content and programs: ari.aynrand.org
