Robert F. Kennedy Jr. clapped back at Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz over his take on free speech as related to “hate speech” or “misinformation.”
The former Independent presidential candidate highlighted a 2022 quote from Walz who declared there was “no guarantee to free speech” in some cases during an interview on MSNBC.
“I want to talk about what you just mentioned about misinformation, because, oftentimes before, in previous political chapters, disinformation, telling people were to vote the wrong way, that was kind of—these were called—considered shenanigans,” MSNBC host Maria Teresa Kumar asked the Democrat governor at the time.
(Video Credit: MSNBC)
“Years ago, it was the little things, telling people to vote the day after the election. And we kind of brushed them off. Now we know it’s intimidation at the ballot box. It’s undermining the idea that mail-in ballots aren’t legal,” Walz, now the Democrat vice presidential nominee, replied.
“I think we need to push back on this,” he added. “There’s no guarantee to free speech on misinformation or hate speech, and especially around our democracy. Tell the truth, where the voting places are, who can vote, who’s able to be there…”
Kennedy took to social media to respond after the clip of Walz resurfaced on X.
“Yes, there is, Tim. It is called the U.S. Constitution. That is exactly what prevents the government from stifling dissent by labeling something ‘hate speech’ or ‘misinformation,'” the former Democrat wrote.
“Yes, I understand, some forms of speech are repugnant, such as expressions of racial bigotry. Problem is, the category of hate speech expands to include everything the censors ‘hate,'” he added.
Yes there is, Tim. It is called the U.S. Constitution. That is exactly what prevents the government from stifling dissent by labeling something “hate speech” or “misinformation.”
Yes, I understand, some forms of speech are repugnant, such as expressions of racial bigotry.… https://t.co/ECB2O4Napt
— Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) September 19, 2024
“As for misinformation, who decides what is true and what is false? The government? In authoritarian countries, yes, the government,” Kennedy concluded. “That is why freedom of speech lies at the very heart of democracy.”
But the U.S. Supreme Court has found that there is no “hate speech” exception to the First Amendment.
In an opinion by Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito in Matal v. Tam, wrote: “Speech that demeans on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, disability, or any other similar ground is hateful; but the proudest boast of our free speech jurisprudence is that we protect the freedom to express ‘the thought that we hate.'”
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Originally from New York, Powers graduated from New York University and eventually made her way to sunny South Florida where she has been writing for the BizPacReview team since 2015.
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