Opinion | What Donald Trump’s Twitter ban, US Capitol invasion and Hong Kong Legco siege have in common: cheap talk
- Statements that lack nuance by people who should know better matter because they crowd out valuable discussion on important issues, such as genuine concerns over ‘big tech’ or flaws in US and Hong Kong democracy
Otherwise intelligent, capable people have made transparently cynical arguments aimed at advancing their political interests and hoodwinking the rest of us. This cheap talk is overwhelming public discourse, and it falls to us to do something about it.
A moment’s investigation reveals just how ridiculous this claim is. For those unfamiliar, the First Amendment reads as follows: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
Hawley graduated from Stanford University and Yale Law School before serving as a law clerk for US Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts. He knows the First Amendment only enjoins Congress, not private businesses. Why make such easily debunked arguments? Because he thinks enough of the public will buy it to let him avoid any consequences.