Trump’s new Cabinet members are set to confront the censorship that has silenced many Americans in recent years
City: Washington, D.C. Venture capitalist Marc Andreessen recently shared a feeling many had after Trump’s re-election: it wasn’t so much joy as relief. He expressed hope that the past decade would fade into a bad dream.
He reflected on the repression and anger that had become all too common, much of it seemingly encouraged by the government. Trump’s Cabinet picks might seem like a bold statement, but they also represent those who have faced the harsh realities of censorship.
Take Tulsi Gabbard, for instance. She claims she was put on a watch list just for criticizing Kamala Harris. Then there’s Jay Bhattacharya, who faced pressure from the Biden administration for warning about the dangers of COVID lockdowns. Trump has now appointed him to lead the National Institutes of Health.
Elon Musk, who overpaid for Twitter, aims to create a space for free speech. When he took over, he revealed how the Biden administration had worked to censor Americans’ speech. This led to Musk facing regulatory scrutiny for his businesses.
Americans generally dislike being bullied by their government. Over the last decade, those with differing views have felt increasingly stifled. Many have faced censorship on social media or were labeled as spreading misinformation for simply voicing their opinions.
Andreessen mentioned knowing tech founders who were labeled as politically exposed and faced banking issues for not aligning with the administration’s views. This has created a troubling divide in America, where only certain views are accepted.
It seems like there are two Americas now: one for those with approved views and another for everyone else. The left has largely dictated which opinions are acceptable, leading to a culture of fear and silence for many.
Even discussing certain topics can lead to severe consequences, like losing access to credit or being blacklisted. It’s disheartening to see how many have quietly accepted this state of affairs.
In a country founded on freedom, it feels like the fight for those freedoms has diminished. For example, my book on pediatric gender transition has been labeled as transphobic, even though it simply critiques a reckless approach to medicalizing children.
As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, there’s a real concern about how it might enforce these oppressive norms. Imagine AI deciding your creditworthiness based on your political views.
Despite the criticism, Trump’s Cabinet isn’t just filled with loyalists. Gabbard and Bhattacharya have shown a willingness to stand up to their own parties. This isn’t about loyalty; it’s about challenging the status quo.
Some worry that Trump’s appointees lack experience, but the reality is that many pressing issues don’t require decades of bureaucratic know-how. What they need is the will to tackle these problems head-on.
In the end, the media will keep a close eye on this new Cabinet. They haven’t learned to play the political game, and that might just be what America needs to shake off complacency and fight for its rights again.
Abigail Shrier, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, emphasizes that many of our challenges require determination more than experience.