Obama Calls for Free Speech Crackdown: ‘We Don’t Want Diversity of Facts’
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In a revealing appearance at The Connecticut Forum, former President Barack Obama called for government regulation of social media platforms to police what he deems “misinformation.”
The remarks are raising alarm bells for critics who see it as yet another move to stifle dissent and silence political opposition.
During his speech titled “An Evening with President Barack Obama,” the former president lamented the erosion of public trust.
However, instead of blaming failed leadership or political corruption, Obama pinned it squarely on Americans’ ability to share unfiltered opinions online.
“You and I can have an opinion about a side table,” Obama said.
“But if I say this is a lawnmower, you’ll think I’m crazy.
“We’re now in a situation in which we are having these basic factual arguments.
“And that further undermines trust.”
Obama then invoked Russian President Vladimir Putin, quoting a KGB propaganda tactic about overwhelming the public with so much disinformation that people no longer believe anything.
He linked the concept to former Trump adviser Steve Bannon, in what some observers viewed as yet another swipe at the MAGA movement.
Then came the punchline: government intervention.
“It will require some government, I believe, some government regulatory constraints around some of these business models,” Obama said.
He continued by arguing that platforms should stop elevating what he calls “the most hateful or polarizing voices.”