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    With Donald Trump back in the White House, the First Amendment is under pressure, and his efforts are up for interpretation. In just six months, his administration has moved aggressively: threatening state and university funding, restricting press access, defunding public media, including NPR and PBS, and targeting campus speech. Across the country, schools face mounting demands to dismantle DEI programs. In a recent escalation, Harvard’s $100 million in federal contracts, $2.6 billion in research grants, and international student enrollment are in jeopardy after allegations of antisemitism. Some say that some of his actions can be viewed as a break from political correctness and a restoration of viewpoint diversity. Critics warn it’s a dubious crackdown, with the government punishing institutions and voices that don’t align with its agenda. As the line between free expression and political enforcement blurs, Open to Debate, in partnership with the Cascades PBS Ideas Festival, discusses the evolving concept of free speech under a second Trump presidency in a debate-y conversation. This debate was recorded on May 31, 2025 at the Cascades PBS Ideas Festival in Seattle, Washington.
    
    Friday, June 13, 2025
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Is Wal-Mart Good For America?

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

By Nelson Lichtenstein

An interview with Nelson Lichtenstein.

Link to Article
Article source: PBS

Upcoming Debates

Free Speech in the Trump 2.0 Era

With Brandi Kruse, Nadine Strossen

10:00 AM | Friday, June 13, 2025

With Donald Trump back in the White House, the First Amendment is under pressure, and his efforts are up for interpretation. In just six months, his administration has moved aggressively: threatening state and university funding, restricting press access, defunding public media, including NPR and PBS, and targeting campus speech. Across the country, schools face mounting demands to dismantle DEI programs. In a recent escalation, Harvard’s $100 million in federal contracts, $2.6 billion in research grants, and international student enrollment are in…

Free Speech in the Trump 2.0 Era

With Brandi Kruse, Nadine Strossen

10:00 AM | Friday, June 13, 2025

Are Sanctions an Effective Policy Tool?

With Leopoldo López, Artie McConnell, Christopher Sabatini, Elizabeth Shackelford

10:00 AM | Friday, June 27, 2025

Open to Debate, in partnership with the Human Rights Foundation and the Oslo Freedom Forum, is examining a strategy employed by many countries to respond to aggressive or authoritarian regimes. In recent years, these have been levied against countries such as Russia, Venezuela, and Iran, which have ranged from freezing assets and trade bans to travel restrictions and full embargoes. But do sanctions work in deterring repression? Those arguing that they’re effective claim that they’re a nonviolent way to force change and serve…

Are Sanctions an Effective Policy Tool?

With Leopoldo López, Artie McConnell, Christopher Sabatini, Elizabeth Shackelford

10:00 AM | Friday, June 27, 2025

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Features

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Upcoming debates

SUPPORT OPEN-MINDED DEBATE

Is Wal-Mart Good For America?

Upcoming Debates

Free Speech in the Trump 2.0 Era

Free Speech in the Trump 2.0 Era

Are Sanctions an Effective Policy Tool?

Are Sanctions an Effective Policy Tool?

DEBATE COMMUNITY

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