Business elites retreating for weekly political gatherings in America
In a striking turn of events, Disney suspended late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel over a political joke, sparking concerns about the Trump administration's influence on corporate America. This incident, and others like it, has led to a discussion about the government's pressure on private employers and its impact on free speech in the workplace.
Jenin Younes, a prominent free speech lawyer, finds this attempt to control speech disturbing and incompatible with the First Amendment and a free society. Younes believes that Trump's actions are more dangerous for free speech than those of the Biden administration.
The current situation, according to Younes, is a multifaceted attempt to control speech that is incompatible with the principles of a free society. Right-wing online activists are identifying and reporting employees' private social media posts to their employers, leading to consequences. This trend is causing a chilling effect on discussing politics within the business world.
Examples of such actions include municipal employees and employees of the Carolina Panthers. Companies are punishing employees for political statements, particularly those expressing support for controversial figures. The television network ABC, owned by Walt Disney Company, suspended and then canceled Jimmy Kimmel's late-night show after his politically charged commentary linking a murderer to the MAGA movement, following pressure from the Trump administration and FCC chairman Brendan Carr. Similarly, MSNBC fired journalist Matthew Dowd for his critical remarks about the same figure.
Corporate America's attitudes have shifted dramatically, with companies now avoiding political statements due to potential backlash and boycotts from conservatives. This shift is a new and brazen threat to our free society, as highlighted by Younes.
Free speech is a constitutional right, but it is not a workplace right, generally. Private employers can put whatever controls on speech they want. This means that employers, both public and private, have taken actions against workers for their social media posts, including firings.
Younes sued the Biden administration for alleged censorship for pressuring tech companies to remove online misinformation during the COVID pandemic. Jerry Greenfield, co-founder of Ben & Jerry's, resigned from the company due to what he perceived as silencing of his activism by the company's owner, Unilever.
President Trump's administration is openly attacking individual companies and CEOs, causing corporations to be wary of becoming scapegoats. Trump is taking unprecedented steps to reshape corporate America, and corporate America is largely complying with these changes.
In conclusion, the Jimmy Kimmel controversy and the subsequent actions by corporations highlight a worrying trend of government pressure on private employers and its impact on free speech in the workplace. This trend, if left unchecked, could have far-reaching consequences for our democracy and our society as a whole.
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