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Nova Dugan-Mezensky · March 17, 2025

Toolkit: Attacks on Freedom of Speech

Summary: Donald Trump’s consistent attack on the Freedom of Speech is a violation of his oath to uphold the constitution and follow our nation’s laws. From banning the Associate Press from briefings, to imprisoning peaceful protestors, to cutting funding to colleges for inclusive programming, Donald Trump is waging a direct assault on the First Amendment and is a brazen attack on free speech and a reckless violation of constitutional limits.

We all know America’s views and backgrounds remain diverse but Donald Trump is no friend to those he disagrees with. While Trump’s tactics against free speech have enhanced from his first term, his goal remains the same: to divide, distract, and silence political opponents. 

Examples of threats to Freedom of Speech:

  • Revoking press credentials of media that disagree with Trump
  • Threatening federal funding for colleges who have diversity, equity, and inclusion programs
  • Deporting and imprisoning protestors that disagree with Trump

Guidance

  1. Define Trump’s actions as a direct attack on our free speech rights and is a “political tactic” used to divide us.
  2. Explain the “why”: Trump is trying to distract us from the issues that matter most, like the cost of living and soaring healthcare costs. All the while he gives massive tax cuts to billionaires.
  3. Call Out the Abuse: Donald Trump is waging a direct assault on the First Amendment and is a flagrant abuse of presidential power. 

Messaging

  • Donald Trump is trying to divide us, that’s why he’s focused on silencing his opponents and punishing colleges for providing inclusive programs. His attacks on free speech are just to score political points and distract us from the real issues that matter like inflation and the cost of living.
  • In America, we believe all ideas have merit and should be heard. But Donald Trump’s attack on free speech is unamerican and hurts us all. Banning the press, deporting protestors, and cutting inclusive education will not lower the price of eggs but we know the truth: Trump wants to silence political opposition and censor ideas he disagrees with.
  • Donald Trump wants to divide us by race, religion, and sexual orientation because he thinks it’ll gain him more political power.
  • Donald Trump is threatening to withhold hundreds of millions of federal dollars from the Ohio State University unless the curriculum he disagrees with is censored. 

Messaging DO’s and DON’Ts

✅DO’s❌DON’Ts
Frame freedom of speech as a shared American value that benefits everyone even if you disagree with them. Limiting free speech hurts us all
Repeat opposition claims, even to refute them (e.g., “DEI is not to blame”).
Name the culprits—MAGA Republicans and billionaire backers—and their motivations.
Use defensive language that reinforces the opposition’s narrative. “Diversity programs are just trying to do good on campus”. 
Highlight past victories through free speech such as the civil rights movement to inspire hope and show progress through unity.
Let them set the agenda by reacting separately to each attack on free speech. 
Use terms like “freedom”, “all voices are heard”, “even if you disagree”, “censorship”
Use technical jargon language that lacks emotional appeal. Such as “intersectionality”, “oppression”.
Use unifying language that brings people together across race, gender, and background.
Engage in narrow issue-framing instead of connecting all attacks on freedom of speech together
Reiterate that America moves forward through a diversity of ideas, not exclusion.
Ignore motivations behind these attacks—name how Trump seeks more power.

TAKE ACTION

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