Jacob Mchangama
@mchangama.bsky.social
Executive Director at @futurefreespeech.org, Research professor Vanderbilt University, Senior Fellow at FIRE, author of "Free Speech: A History from Socrates to Social Media"
Deeply honored to take part in Atlas Network's Smart Bets Pitch Competition. A huge thank you to the Atlas team for giving us the opportunity to share our project.
November 13, 2025 at 7:26 PM
Deeply honored to take part in Atlas Network's Smart Bets Pitch Competition. A huge thank you to the Atlas team for giving us the opportunity to share our project.
The page proofs for my forthcoming book with @jkosseff.bsky.social have arrived!
Here’s a sneak peek at the contents:
Here’s a sneak peek at the contents:
October 30, 2025 at 9:13 PM
The page proofs for my forthcoming book with @jkosseff.bsky.social have arrived!
Here’s a sneak peek at the contents:
Here’s a sneak peek at the contents:
The efforts to shed light on just how bad things have gotten in Europe are gaining momentum. Another mainstream U.S. news outlet (Fareed Zakaria's GPS at @cnn.com) details the free speech recession we have been warning about for years.
October 27, 2025 at 4:14 PM
The efforts to shed light on just how bad things have gotten in Europe are gaining momentum. Another mainstream U.S. news outlet (Fareed Zakaria's GPS at @cnn.com) details the free speech recession we have been warning about for years.
Reposted by Jacob Mchangama
“When free-speech restrictions are deemed legitimate only if imposed by the ‘right’ people against the ‘wrong’ ones, then free speech indeed becomes an artificial concept,” writes @mchangama.bsky.social.
Who Has Free Speech?
The global fight over a powerful idea.
www.foreignaffairs.com
October 27, 2025 at 10:04 AM
“When free-speech restrictions are deemed legitimate only if imposed by the ‘right’ people against the ‘wrong’ ones, then free speech indeed becomes an artificial concept,” writes @mchangama.bsky.social.
This is the type of proposal that many people would condemn as "authoritarian" if proposed by Trump, but praise as a "defense of democracy" when proposed by EU member states.
October 23, 2025 at 8:20 PM
This is the type of proposal that many people would condemn as "authoritarian" if proposed by Trump, but praise as a "defense of democracy" when proposed by EU member states.
Reposted by Jacob Mchangama
In a review of “Our Dear Friends in Moscow” by Irina Borogan and Andrei Soldatov and “Ideology and Meaning-Making Under the Putin Regime” by Marlene Laruelle, Joshua Yaffa discusses the forces that have shaped the Putin era.
Putins All the Way Down
How Russia was remade.
www.foreignaffairs.com
October 21, 2025 at 11:58 PM
In a review of “Our Dear Friends in Moscow” by Irina Borogan and Andrei Soldatov and “Ideology and Meaning-Making Under the Putin Regime” by Marlene Laruelle, Joshua Yaffa discusses the forces that have shaped the Putin era.
In @foreignaffairs.com, I review Fara Dabhoiwala’s "What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea"—a book that treats the First Amendment as chiefly benefiting “propertied white men” and Europe's “balanced” approach as virtuous.
October 21, 2025 at 7:02 PM
In @foreignaffairs.com, I review Fara Dabhoiwala’s "What Is Free Speech? The History of a Dangerous Idea"—a book that treats the First Amendment as chiefly benefiting “propertied white men” and Europe's “balanced” approach as virtuous.
I’m not saying that free speech prevailed in this case because I happen to be in the UK this week. But I’m also not NOT saying it.
In all seriousness, this is a very welcome outcome in a country struggling with a declining commitment to free expression.
In all seriousness, this is a very welcome outcome in a country struggling with a declining commitment to free expression.
October 15, 2025 at 3:20 PM
I’m not saying that free speech prevailed in this case because I happen to be in the UK this week. But I’m also not NOT saying it.
In all seriousness, this is a very welcome outcome in a country struggling with a declining commitment to free expression.
In all seriousness, this is a very welcome outcome in a country struggling with a declining commitment to free expression.
From abolitionists jailed for spreading “dangerous ideas” to civil rights leaders who made free speech their shield—America’s most profound moral progress has depended on protecting speech we hate.
That’s the lesson we risk forgetting as we approach the U.S.’s 250th anniversary.
That’s the lesson we risk forgetting as we approach the U.S.’s 250th anniversary.
October 11, 2025 at 6:09 PM
From abolitionists jailed for spreading “dangerous ideas” to civil rights leaders who made free speech their shield—America’s most profound moral progress has depended on protecting speech we hate.
That’s the lesson we risk forgetting as we approach the U.S.’s 250th anniversary.
That’s the lesson we risk forgetting as we approach the U.S.’s 250th anniversary.
Reposted by Jacob Mchangama
Read @zbyronwolf.bsky.social's full analysis of the state of free speech in the U.S., with more insights from @mchangama.bsky.social about the legacy of the civil rights movement and crackdowns on free expression in Europe. www.cnn.com/2025/10/11/p...
Analysis: Trump’s free speech backflip was 250 years in the making | CNN Politics
Trump’s complete turnabout on speech is indicative of the contradictions and ironies in the bedrock principle of the American liberties in the Bill of Rights and the First Amendment.
www.cnn.com
October 11, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Read @zbyronwolf.bsky.social's full analysis of the state of free speech in the U.S., with more insights from @mchangama.bsky.social about the legacy of the civil rights movement and crackdowns on free expression in Europe. www.cnn.com/2025/10/11/p...
Reposted by Jacob Mchangama
"Mchangama, on the other hand, hopes the American left will look at the Trump administration today and dial back on efforts to control speech.
"'Power changes hands,' @mchangama.bsky.social said."
"'Power changes hands,' @mchangama.bsky.social said."
October 11, 2025 at 5:27 PM
"Mchangama, on the other hand, hopes the American left will look at the Trump administration today and dial back on efforts to control speech.
"'Power changes hands,' @mchangama.bsky.social said."
"'Power changes hands,' @mchangama.bsky.social said."
At a time when free expression is under strain, our #FreeSpeechSummit2025 offered space for serious, principled debate about the First Amendment and the culture that sustains it.
Honored to see this crucial discussion in the spotlight from @usatoday.com:
Honored to see this crucial discussion in the spotlight from @usatoday.com:
🗣️ NASHVILLE − There's turmoil over the state of free speech in America.
The issue took center stage as free speech advocates, lawyers and experts from around the world convened recently at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
#FreeSpeechSummit2025
The issue took center stage as free speech advocates, lawyers and experts from around the world convened recently at Vanderbilt University in Nashville.
#FreeSpeechSummit2025
October 10, 2025 at 7:03 PM
At a time when free expression is under strain, our #FreeSpeechSummit2025 offered space for serious, principled debate about the First Amendment and the culture that sustains it.
Honored to see this crucial discussion in the spotlight from @usatoday.com:
Honored to see this crucial discussion in the spotlight from @usatoday.com:
Thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Yascha Mounk, @noupside.bsky.social, and @jonrauch.bsky.social.
Some additional thoughts below ⏬
Some additional thoughts below ⏬
Defending free speech can be hard, especially when you disagree with it.
But during the live recording of The Good Fight podcast at our #FreeSpeechSummit2025, @mchangama.bsky.social said calling out hypocrisy when it comes to free speech advocacy is crucial.
But during the live recording of The Good Fight podcast at our #FreeSpeechSummit2025, @mchangama.bsky.social said calling out hypocrisy when it comes to free speech advocacy is crucial.
October 8, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Yascha Mounk, @noupside.bsky.social, and @jonrauch.bsky.social.
Some additional thoughts below ⏬
Some additional thoughts below ⏬
This weekend in Nashville, voices from every corner of the world came together around a simple truth: Free expression is still the foundation of every free and flourishing society.
#FreeSpeechSummit2025 reminded us what happens when courage meets open dialogue.
#FreeSpeechSummit2025 reminded us what happens when courage meets open dialogue.
October 7, 2025 at 9:57 PM
This weekend in Nashville, voices from every corner of the world came together around a simple truth: Free expression is still the foundation of every free and flourishing society.
#FreeSpeechSummit2025 reminded us what happens when courage meets open dialogue.
#FreeSpeechSummit2025 reminded us what happens when courage meets open dialogue.
Had a fascinating conversation with @noupside.bsky.social, Yascha Mounk, and @jonrauch.bsky.social in a live recording of The Good Fight podcast from Persuasion.
October 4, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Had a fascinating conversation with @noupside.bsky.social, Yascha Mounk, and @jonrauch.bsky.social in a live recording of The Good Fight podcast from Persuasion.
Kicking off #FreeSpeechSummit2025 by setting the stage and introducing @vanderbilt.edu Chancellor Daniel Diermeier.
October 3, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Kicking off #FreeSpeechSummit2025 by setting the stage and introducing @vanderbilt.edu Chancellor Daniel Diermeier.
20 years ago, 12 cartoons shook the world.
They sparked riots, terror attacks, and a lasting question: Do democracies still have the courage to defend free speech when it offends?
A short thread on why this moment still matters 🧵
They sparked riots, terror attacks, and a lasting question: Do democracies still have the courage to defend free speech when it offends?
A short thread on why this moment still matters 🧵
September 30, 2025 at 6:30 PM
20 years ago, 12 cartoons shook the world.
They sparked riots, terror attacks, and a lasting question: Do democracies still have the courage to defend free speech when it offends?
A short thread on why this moment still matters 🧵
They sparked riots, terror attacks, and a lasting question: Do democracies still have the courage to defend free speech when it offends?
A short thread on why this moment still matters 🧵
Reposted by Jacob Mchangama
No one should ever be subjected to violence for sharing their opinion, no matter how unpopular. In a free and pluralistic society, we must accept that words are not violence, and we must condemn anyone who resorts to physical harm in response to speech they don’t like.
September 10, 2025 at 8:32 PM
No one should ever be subjected to violence for sharing their opinion, no matter how unpopular. In a free and pluralistic society, we must accept that words are not violence, and we must condemn anyone who resorts to physical harm in response to speech they don’t like.
Congrats to Vanderbilt, home of @futurefreespeech.org, for its climb to 7th in @thefireorg.bsky.social College Free Speech Rankings!
September 10, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Congrats to Vanderbilt, home of @futurefreespeech.org, for its climb to 7th in @thefireorg.bsky.social College Free Speech Rankings!
From Frederick Douglass to Thurgood Marshall, history shows that the values of free speech and equality are friends, not foes. www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4HT...
True free speech, explained in 6 minutes | Jason Mchangama
YouTube video by The Well
www.youtube.com
September 9, 2025 at 5:02 PM
From Frederick Douglass to Thurgood Marshall, history shows that the values of free speech and equality are friends, not foes. www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4HT...
If free speech only protects the views we like, it isn’t free speech.
In 1649, radicals warned UK Parliament that censorship was “dangerous to the liberties of the people.” Yet in Britain today, people are arrested for tweets, protests, and even satire.
In 1649, radicals warned UK Parliament that censorship was “dangerous to the liberties of the people.” Yet in Britain today, people are arrested for tweets, protests, and even satire.
September 8, 2025 at 7:51 PM
If free speech only protects the views we like, it isn’t free speech.
In 1649, radicals warned UK Parliament that censorship was “dangerous to the liberties of the people.” Yet in Britain today, people are arrested for tweets, protests, and even satire.
In 1649, radicals warned UK Parliament that censorship was “dangerous to the liberties of the people.” Yet in Britain today, people are arrested for tweets, protests, and even satire.
Is banning flag burning just a secular blasphemy law?
Trump’s EO treats the flag the way old laws treated religion: as a sacred symbol beyond insult. Different symbols, same instinct—punish irreverence to enforce orthodoxy.
Trump’s EO treats the flag the way old laws treated religion: as a sacred symbol beyond insult. Different symbols, same instinct—punish irreverence to enforce orthodoxy.
August 29, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Is banning flag burning just a secular blasphemy law?
Trump’s EO treats the flag the way old laws treated religion: as a sacred symbol beyond insult. Different symbols, same instinct—punish irreverence to enforce orthodoxy.
Trump’s EO treats the flag the way old laws treated religion: as a sacred symbol beyond insult. Different symbols, same instinct—punish irreverence to enforce orthodoxy.
On one side, you have a J.D. Vance who disagrees with the SCOTUS opinion that flag burning is protected political expression. On the other, you have a Vance who (rightly) scoffs at a Swedish judge who argued there should be limits on free expression when it comes to burning religious texts.
August 27, 2025 at 4:59 PM
On one side, you have a J.D. Vance who disagrees with the SCOTUS opinion that flag burning is protected political expression. On the other, you have a Vance who (rightly) scoffs at a Swedish judge who argued there should be limits on free expression when it comes to burning religious texts.
Despite the Trump admin's twisted rationale, SCOTUS has twice ruled that burning the flag 🇺🇸 in protest is protected political expression.
Abandon that principle, and the U.S. trades its place as a free society for the habits of regimes that jail dissenters. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
Abandon that principle, and the U.S. trades its place as a free society for the habits of regimes that jail dissenters. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
August 26, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Despite the Trump admin's twisted rationale, SCOTUS has twice ruled that burning the flag 🇺🇸 in protest is protected political expression.
Abandon that principle, and the U.S. trades its place as a free society for the habits of regimes that jail dissenters. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
Abandon that principle, and the U.S. trades its place as a free society for the habits of regimes that jail dissenters. ⬇️ ⬇️ ⬇️
Just because the U.S. is hypocritical, it doesn’t mean that Europe’s free speech problems aren’t real—or worsening, as @conor64.bsky.social chronicles in his latest piece at @theatlantic.com (in which I’m also quoted).
Principled free speech advocates should be sounding the alarm.
Principled free speech advocates should be sounding the alarm.
August 19, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Just because the U.S. is hypocritical, it doesn’t mean that Europe’s free speech problems aren’t real—or worsening, as @conor64.bsky.social chronicles in his latest piece at @theatlantic.com (in which I’m also quoted).
Principled free speech advocates should be sounding the alarm.
Principled free speech advocates should be sounding the alarm.