Defendant, Censor, Politico, Spy
Summary
Patrick McKenzie details how the SPLC-led "Change the Terms" coalition pressured tech and financial firms from 2017 to 2023 to censor speech and cut off funding to targeted groups. He argues this private intelligence operation used threats of reputational harm and regulatory action to coerce companies into adopting restrictive policies. The episode examines primary sources and industry accounts to reveal how these tactics expanded from targeting hate groups to influencing broader political discourse and election outcomes.
Topics discussed
Introduction and the SPLC's role as a spy agency
The Change the Terms coalition and its goals
Industry meetings and pressure tactics
The Charlottesville rally and immediate aftermath
Coalition structure, funding, and model terms
Sponsor reads for Mercury and Granola
Color of Change testimony and target lists
Expanding targets to politicians and misinformation
Congressional testimony and the George Floyd protests
Facebook's Trump post and industry skepticism
Sponsor read for Meter
January 6th and the deplatforming of Trump
Lobbying for mandatory reporting and loopholes
Coalition fundraising and shifting postures
2023 demands and nonpartisan charity violations
CAP statement, outreach failures, and conclusion
Listen ad-free on Castria