How did the government allegedly collude with tech companies to censor speech?

The lawsuit claims the government used 'special portals' and direct communication to pressure tech platforms, threatening them with investigations or loss of Section 230 protections if they didn't remove content the government disliked. This went beyond merely informing platforms.

What was the role of the FBI in the Hunter Biden laptop story?

According to deposition testimony, the FBI had the Hunter Biden laptop in late 2019 and was aware it was authentic. They then allegedly briefed social media companies about a potential 'Russian disinformation campaign' regarding the laptop, leading to its censorship before the 2020 election.

What is Section 230 and why is it relevant to censorship?

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act protects online platforms from liability for user-generated content, treating them as platforms rather than publishers. The debate is whether these platforms, by making editorial decisions or using algorithms to shape content, forfeit this protection.

What is the 'Russia Gate' hoax, according to Senator Schmitt?

Senator Schmitt describes 'Russia Gate' as a manufactured hoax, perpetuated through doctored intelligence and the Steele Dossier, used to spy on President Trump and undermine his administration. He believes it weaponized institutions against political opponents.

Was the Hamilton 68 dashboard an accurate measure of Russian disinformation?

Matt Taibbi's reporting on the Twitter Files revealed that Hamilton 68, which claimed to track Russian disinformation, was largely baseless. Yoel Roth, former head of Twitter Trust and Safety, reportedly called the data 'bullshit'.

Did government officials face consequences for their alleged role in censorship or the 'Russia Gate' affair?

The video suggests a lack of accountability, with Senator Schmitt indicating that while charges like conspiracy to defraud the United States might be applicable, statutes of limitation could be an issue. Key figures like Comey, Clapper, and Brennan are mentioned as potential targets.

What is Senator Schmitt's view on US foreign policy regarding Ukraine?

Schmitt advocates for an 'American realist' approach, urging a focus on national interests, pivoting to China, and encouraging NATO allies to increase their defense spending. He believes the US should not provide a 'blank check' for the war and supports negotiating a peace deal.

What are the arguments for and against continuing aid to Ukraine?

Arguments against further aid include the war's seemingly endless nature and the lack of European contribution. Proponents highlight the need to counter Russian aggression, while critics question if continued support is in US best interest and question Zelenskyy's democratic credentials.

What is the Senator's perspective on negotiating with dictators like Putin?

Senator Schmitt believes diplomacy often requires talking to unsavory figures. He argues that President Trump's willingness to engage with Putin is an attempt to broker peace, which he sees as necessary given the costly war of attrition. He criticizes those who lack alternative solutions.

Key Moments

Senator Eric Schmitt: Exposing the Biggest Censorship Scandal in US History

All-In Podcast

Entertainment5 min read61 min video

Aug 21, 2025|101,142 views|2,927|449

chamath david sacks david friedberg jason calacanis all in podcast tech news politics big tech antitrust election covid

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Key Moments

TL;DR

Senator Schmitt discusses government censorship, Biden v. Missouri lawsuit, and Russiagate.

Key Insights

The Biden administration allegedly orchestrated a "vast censorship enterprise" to suppress American speech, particularly concerning COVID-19 and the Hunter Biden laptop.

The "Biden v. Missouri" lawsuit uncovered "tens of thousands of documents" showing communication between government agencies and Big Tech platforms to silence content.

Section 230's protection for tech platforms is being compromised when they act as publishers, making government "jawboning" and coercion a form of de facto censorship.

Russiagate is characterized as a manufactured hoax used to legitimize surveillance and suppress political opposition, with figures like Brennan and Clapper implicated.

Hamilton 68, a dashboard tracking Russian disinformation, is described as a hoax used to amplify narratives unfavorable to Democrats and censor conservative viewpoints.

The war in Ukraine is complex, and while Russia is authoritarian, Ukraine's claim to pure democracy is questioned due to canceled elections and suppression of opposition.

Senator Schmitt advocates for a realist foreign policy, questioning extensive US aid to Ukraine and emphasizing the need for European allies to increase their defense spending.

THE BIDEN V. MISSOURI LAWSUIT AND GOVERNMENT CENSORSHIP

Senator Eric Schmitt details the "Biden v. Missouri" lawsuit, which aimed to expose a "vast censorship enterprise" led by the Biden administration. He describes how government agencies allegedly pressured Big Tech platforms to censor content related to COVID-19 mandates, masks, and the Hunter Biden laptop story. The lawsuit uncovered extensive documentation revealing communication channels and special portals used by government officials to influence social media platforms' content moderation policies. This enterprise, Schmitt argues, represents a significant affront to the First Amendment.

SECTION 230 AND THE COERCION OF BIG TECH

The discussion highlights how Big Tech's Section 230 protections, intended for platforms, are undermined when companies engage in editorial decisions. Senator Schmitt explains that while informing platforms about potential threats is acceptable, the government's actions escalated to "coercion" and "collusion." This involved implicit or explicit threats of investigations or the loss of Section 230 protections, forcing companies to censor content. This pressure, stemming from the highest levels of the White House, transformed platforms into publishers, effectively outsourcing censorship to private entities.

THE RUSSIAGATE HOAX AND PROPAGANDA

Senator Schmitt vehemently describes Russiagate as a manufactured "hoax" and a "coup" against President Trump. He contends that figures like Brennan and Clapper weaponized false information, including the Steele dossier, to launch investigations into a political opponent. The narrative that Russia interfered in the 2016 election, he claims, was used to spy on Trump and undermine his presidency. This narrative, amplified by certain media outlets and institutions, created a false premise for actions against Trump and fueled Russophobia.

HAMILTON 68 AND THE MANIPULATION OF DISINFORMATION NARRATIVES

The conversation delves into the role of Hamilton 68, an NGO allegedly set up by former FBI officials, which claimed to track Russian disinformation. Senator Schmitt asserts that this dashboard was a "hoax" and "total nonsense," used to label any inconvenient or conservative viewpoints as Russian-backed propaganda. This narrative, he states, was the basis for thousands of news stories and provided cover for censoring dissenting opinions. Internal Twitter communications reportedly indicated that the accounts flagged by Hamilton 68 were not demonstrably Russian.

THE HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP STORY AND ELECTION INTEGRITY

The silencing of the Hunter Biden laptop story is presented as a pivotal event that could have influenced the 2020 election. Senator Schmitt argues that the FBI possessed the laptop in 2019 and knew it was authentic yet engaged in a campaign to suppress its contents. Through regular meetings with social media platforms, they allegedly "primed" them to dismiss any revelations about Hunter Biden as Russian disinformation. This coordinated effort, he suggests, prevented the public from accessing crucial information about potential foreign business dealings.

GOVERNMENT AGENCIES AS A CENSORSHIP LEVIATHAN

Senator Schmitt illustrates how various government agencies, including the FBI, CISA, and the CDC, formed a "Leviathan" working in concert to censor speech. He notes that the CDC allegedly provided specific phrases for social media companies to flag, while other agencies collaborated on "election integrity projects." The deposition of Anthony Fauci is mentioned, highlighting efforts to discredit individuals questioning COVID-19 protocols or vaccine efficacy. This broad, coordinated effort across agencies aimed to enforce the regime's narrative and suppress dissent.

THE COMPLEXITY OF THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR AND FOREIGN POLICY

The discussion tackles the complexities of the Russia-Ukraine war, with Senator Schmitt advocating for a realist foreign policy. He questions the extensive US aid to Ukraine, suggesting Europe should shoulder more responsibility and that the US needs to pivot focus towards China. Schmitt criticizes the narrative of Putin as an existential threat poised to conquer Europe, pointing out inconsistencies in portraying him as both a formidable invader and incapable of taking Kyiv. He believes diplomacy, even with adversaries, is essential for peace.

ASSESSING DEMOCRACY AND PUBLIC WILL IN UKRAINE

Senator Schmitt challenges the simplistic portrayal of Ukraine as a pure democracy under siege, citing President Zelenskyy's actions. He notes the cancellation of elections, the banning of opposition parties, and crackdowns on the press and religion. Referencing Gallup polls, he highlights that Ukrainian public support for the war has significantly declined, indicating a desire for peace and concessions. This suggests that the will of the Ukrainian people may diverge from the continued state of conflict and that Zelenskyy's personal incentives might differ from those of his populace.

DIPLOMACY, NATIONAL INTERESTS, AND THE US ROLE

The conversation emphasizes the importance of diplomacy, even with dictators like Putin, to find peaceful resolutions. Senator Schmitt suggests that President Trump's approach to brokering peace is a pragmatic one, contrasting with what he perceives as a lack of viable alternatives from critics. He argues that the US cannot indefinitely fund a war of attrition and that European nations must significantly increase their defense spending. The idea of the US stepping back if a resolution isn't reached is raised, focusing on American national interests and avoiding endless financial commitments.

Mentioned in This Episode

●Software & Apps

●Companies

●Organizations

●Books

●Concepts

●People Referenced

Navigating Censorship and Free Speech

Practical takeaways from this episode

Do This

Seek evidence before demanding immediate action in legal cases involving government overreach.

Recognize that government cannot censor speech directly or by outsourcing it to private companies.

Understand Section 230 as a protection for platforms acting as neutral conduits, not publishers.

Advocate for content-neutral principles in algorithms and platform policies.

Push for accountability and transparency when government agencies pressure social media platforms.

Engage in diplomatic dialogue with adversaries to explore peaceful resolutions to conflicts.

Focus on core national interests and encourage allies to increase their defense contributions.

Listen to the desires of the people in conflict zones when considering diplomatic solutions.

Avoid This

Do not censor speech, directly or indirectly through private companies.

Do not allow government coercion or threats to dictate content moderation policies.

Do not label legitimate political speech as misinformation or disinformation to suppress it.

Do not rely solely on government claims without seeking independent verification and evidence.

Do not weaponize intelligence agencies or legal processes against political opponents.

Avoid escalation in foreign conflicts without a clear strategy or plan.

Do not treat diplomacy as an instant gratification process; it requires patience and persistence.

Common Questions

The lawsuit, filed by Missouri's Attorney General, alleges that the Biden administration engaged in a 'vast censorship enterprise' by pressuring social media companies to suppress American speech, particularly concerning topics like COVID-19 and the Hunter Biden laptop.

Topics

Russia Investigation Hunter Biden Laptop

Mentioned in this video

Software & Apps

Joe Rogan Experience

Podcast hosted by Joe Rogan, where Mark Zuckerberg discussed censorship.

Hamilton 68

A dashboard that claimed to track Russian disinformation accounts, later exposed as largely baseless.

People

J.K. Rowling

Author, mentioned as someone whose account was reinstated on Twitter.

Paul Manafort

Former campaign manager for Donald Trump, indicted in connection with the 'Russia gate' investigation.

Emmanuel Macron

President of France, mentioned as someone who might not be able to broker peace.

Jen Psaki

Former White House Press Secretary, mentioned for her public statements about flagging content for Facebook.

Yoel Roth

Former head of Trust and Safety at Twitter, involved in censorship decisions.

Jake Sullivan

National Security Advisor, criticized for his foreign policy decisions.

Senator Eric Schmitt

Guest on the show, Senator from Missouri, former Attorney General of Missouri. Author of 'The Last Line of Defense'.

Clint Watts

Former FBI official who was involved with Hamilton 68.

Rob Flaherty

Deputy Communications Director of the White House, mentioned for his text messages pressuring social media companies.

Jack Smith

Special Counsel appointed to investigate Donald Trump, mentioned in relation to the Mar-a-Lago documents case.

Christopher Wray

Current Director of the FBI, indirectly referenced through discussions of FBI actions.

Elvis Chan

An FBI agent whose deposition was taken regarding the Hunter Biden laptop story and communication with social media platforms.

James Baker

Former General Counsel for the FBI and later for Twitter, involved in censoring the Hunter Biden laptop story.

Alvin Bragg

District Attorney of Manhattan, who brought a case against Donald Trump.

Democratic National Committee, mentioned as having been hacked.

CISA

The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, mentioned as part of the censorship enterprise.

MSNBC

News channel that reportedly used Hamilton 68 data for stories on Russian interference.

Disinformation Governance Board

A proposed government board discussed in relation to combating misinformation and disinformation.

ACLU

The American Civil Liberties Union, mentioned as an organization that used to protect free speech.

Locations

Dombas

Region in Ukraine, mentioned as a potential area of negotiation in the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

North Korean

Nationality of individuals allegedly recruited to fight in Ukraine.

Munich Security Conference

Books

The Last Line of Defense

Senator Schmitt's new book detailing his time as Attorney General and experiences with censorship.

Events

Twitter Files

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