In his speech to a joint Congress on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said, “I’ve stopped all government censorship and brought back free speech in America. It’s back,” but some of his recent actions have critics concerned about infringement on free speech.

For Context: Trump signed an executive order aimed at “restoring freedom of speech and ending federal censorship” on his first day in office, but whether he has lived up to his rhetoric is debated. 

Criticism: Critics have pointed to his lawsuits against media operations like the Associated Press (Left bias) and pollster J. Ann Selzer, threats to revoke student visas based on political views, and threats to cut federal funding to universities that allow “illegal protests.” The State Department reportedly plans to use AI tools to scan visa holders' social media posts for any “pro-Hamas” views, according to Vanity Fair (Lean Left). In its first funding cuts to universities, the administration eliminated $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University, saying it has failed to take steps to address antisemitism on campus. Reason's (Center bias) Jacob Sullum said that Trump's lawsuits against media organizations are “legally baseless and blatantly unconstitutional.” 

Praise: A Townhall (Right) columnist noted that the Trump era has changed online speech. “Trump’s America passes the 'public square test.' Democrats will not be kicked off social media for attacking Trump, Musk, or any of his administrative team,” he said.

The Future of Campuses: “President Trump should address campus unrest by encouraging campuses to model the freedoms America promises to protect. He can do that by pushing schools to enshrine and enforce protections for freedom of speech and academic freedom, while stressing that misconduct and criminal behaviour must be punished,” Greg Lukianoff, President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression wrote in UnHerd (Center). An editor revised and published this summary with the help of AllSides AI.