Podcast Summary: Digital Social Hour – Alex Marlow: How to Stay Ahead in the Digital Media Game | DSH #1494

Date: August 16, 2025
Host: Sean Kelly
Guest: Alex Marlow (Editor-in-Chief, Breitbart News)
Location: Student Action Summit

Episode Overview

In this provocative and high-energy episode, Sean Kelly sits down with Alex Marlow, the Editor-in-Chief of Breitbart News and a prominent voice in conservative digital media. Together, they tackle topics such as the evolution of media, cancel culture, lawfare against conservatives, the importance of authenticity and free speech, and strategies for maintaining a competitive edge in the ever-changing landscape of digital news. Marlow shares insights from his frontline experience at Breitbart, weighs in on the left vs. right debate over media control, and discusses his upcoming book, Breaking the Law.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Marlow’s Message of Unity and the State of Conservative Media (00:36–01:44)

• Alex Marlow discusses his speech at the Student Action Summit, focused on unity within the conservative movement and reflecting on Breitbart’s pioneering role in the MAGA movement.
• Marlow points out the dramatic shift in public perception: previously conservative ideas were automatically dismissed as “racist,” but now such ideas are mainstream.
• Notable Quote

  “Where we are is unthinkable relative to where we were 12, 13 years ago, when every idea we have was just framed as racist… The fact that we are where we are, I don’t want to see too much whining and complaining. I think people should be pretty satisfied.”
  — Alex Marlow [01:12]

2. Cancel Culture and Media ‘Warfare’ (01:44–03:15)

• Marlow recounts Breitbart’s early battles with cancel culture, including government and advertiser pressure, and how “being canceled” has become an indicator of relevance.

• The label “fake news” originated as an attack on Breitbart; Marlow insists their reporting had to be more accurate than mainstream competitors because of relentless scrutiny.

• Notable Quote

  “If you’re not getting canceled these days, are you even relevant now?”
  — Alex Marlow [02:19]

• Notable Quote

  “I’ve got to be as accurate as anyone in all of media. And thus what they do—Orwellian—they brand it fake news but it’s not, it’s real news.”
  — Alex Marlow [03:12]

3. The Evolution of New Media (03:30–04:12)

• Marlow shares his perspective as an early “pioneer in new media” and describes the transition from reliance on establishment media to today’s broader, more accessible platforms.
• He notes the generational gap—many young listeners may not even recognize the word “blog.”
• Notable Quote

  “I really was there when you needed a filter of the establishment media to get any ideas out into the public. And we were fighting through that online with blogs.”
  — Alex Marlow [03:33]

4. Free Speech: Then and Now (04:12–07:04)

• Discussion turns to the importance of active defense of free speech, not just passive support. Marlow praises platforms like Rumble and figures like Charlie Kirk for embodying this ethic.

• Marlow’s personal experience at UC Berkeley highlighted what he describes as the left’s “totalitarian streak” regarding speech on campus.

• Notable Quote

  “It can’t just be a passive defense. We can’t just say we like the idea of free speech. No. You gotta go to bat for it. You gotta live it.”
  — Alex Marlow [04:17]

• Notable Quote

  “It’s that liberty… If someone throws an event and you try to get it canceled before you even hear what people have to say, that’s not liberty.”
  — Alex Marlow [06:00]

5. Tactics—Using the Left’s Playbook and Media Transparency (07:04–08:40)

• Marlow discusses how he uses “troll” tactics (e.g., joking about canceling the pregnant man emoji) to highlight perceived absurdities in the left’s approach.

• He argues for ideological transparency, contrasting himself with the mainstream media, especially the New York Times.

• Notable Quote

  “I like to use their tactics, right. So they point out something they think is outrageous, so I’ll point out something else and say, ‘okay, let’s cancel that then.’”
  — Alex Marlow [07:24]

• Notable Quote

  “I’m a journalist, but I’m also part of the conservative movement… I’ll share with you exactly where I’m coming from on every issue.”
  — Alex Marlow [08:29]

6. The NYT, Lawsuits, and Defamation (08:40–10:06)

• Discussion about the New York Times’ legal savvy and their undefeated run in defamation cases since the 1970s.
• Marlow emphasizes the need for careful reporting, noting that Breitbart has never lost a defamation case.
• Notable Quote

  “We have not lost one ever. And it’s because I’m careful. I want my audience to know—if someone sends you a Breitbart story… you know, ‘oh, it’s Breitbart. It’s good.’”
  — Alex Marlow [09:53]

7. Lawfare as a Threat and the Left’s Legal Superstructure (10:09–12:30)

• Marlow describes “lawfare” as a new battlefield, with well-funded left-wing interests employing the legal system to slow or block conservative progress, specifically targeting Trump.
• He explains the problem of “cherry-picked” liberal judges and the urgent need for conservatives to win elections and appoint judicial figures.
• Notable Quote

  “This is a battlefield that was not there when I started in this business 15 years ago.”
  — Alex Marlow [14:45]

8. Coping with and Countering Lawfare (12:30–14:50)

• Marlow’s advice: relentless energy, consistent action, and winning every election are the keys to overcoming lawfare and maintaining progress.
• He empathizes with Kelly’s own experience with legal challenges and stresses the toll of lawsuits on time, money, and growth.
• Notable Quote

  “We cannot take anything for granted… we gotta get up and fight every day.”
  — Alex Marlow [13:21]

9. Coordination and Corruption Allegations in Anti-Trump Legal Efforts (15:29–16:13)

• Marlow claims illegal coordination between the Biden White House and courts handling Trump cases, emphasizing that these tactics are “blatantly corrupt.”
• Notable Quote

  “It’s blatantly corrupt and very, very few people were aware of it.”
  — Alex Marlow [15:46]

10. The Future—Book, Podcasting, and the Conservative Digital Movement (16:21–17:45)

• Marlow outlines his future plans: promoting his upcoming book Breaking the Law, expanding his podcasting presence, and continuing his leadership at Breitbart.
• He highlights the demographic broadening of MAGA and “America First” values, and the cultural “cool factor” conservative media currently enjoys.
• Notable Quote

  “We’re so much cooler than them now… but we need to be prepared for what’s next and not lose that battleground that we won thus far.”
  — Alex Marlow [17:25]

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• “If you’re not getting canceled these days, are you even relevant now?” – Alex Marlow [02:19]
• “It can’t just be a passive defense. We can’t just say we like the idea of free speech. No. You gotta go to bat for it. You gotta live it.” – Alex Marlow [04:17]
• “I’ll share with you exactly where I’m coming from on every issue.” – Alex Marlow [08:29]
• “We have not lost one ever. And it’s because I’m careful.” – Alex Marlow [09:53]
• “This is a battlefield that was not there when I started in this business 15 years ago.” – Alex Marlow [14:45]
• “It’s blatantly corrupt and very, very few people were aware of it.” – Alex Marlow [15:46]
• “We’re so much cooler than them now… but we need to be prepared for what’s next and not lose that battleground that we won thus far.” – Alex Marlow [17:25]

Important Timestamps

• 00:36 – Marlow’s summit speech and the message of unity in conservative media
• 01:44 – The origins and impacts of cancel culture on Breitbart
• 04:12 – Platforms defending free speech and generational changes in media
• 07:04 – On “trolling” tactics and using the left’s playbook
• 08:40 – Conversation on the New York Times and media lawsuits
• 10:09 – Lawfare as a new form of political attack
• 12:30 – Coping with lawfare; advice for conservatives
• 15:29 – Corruption allegations and Biden White House coordination
• 16:21 – Plans for the future: book, podcasting, and digital media strategy

Final Thoughts

This episode offers a raw and unapologetic exploration of the current state of digital media, the rise of lawfare, and the ongoing cultural and political battles fought online. Alex Marlow’s experience and candor provide a deep dive into the mindset, tactics, and strategic vision animating today’s right-leaning digital spaces. The message is clear: stay vigilant, be authentic, defend free speech, and never stop moving forward.