Podcast Summary: Redacted News

Episode: Dave Smith — Navigating Online Hate and Moral Panic

Date: December 31, 2025
Host: Redacted.inc (Natali & Clayton Morris)
Guest: Dave Smith (Comedian, Writer, Political Commentator)

Overview

This episode features Dave Smith discussing the phenomenon of online hate, moral panic, and the dynamics of media manipulation. The conversation covers the toxicity of partisan divides, sustaining personal integrity in a tribal digital age, and the broader implications for truth-telling in modern American society. Natali Morris, with guest contributions from a former Ron Paul campaign worker, explores with Dave themes including propaganda, war, independent media, and optimism about the future.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Rejecting Labels and Partisan Traps

• Dave Smith expresses comfort with the "libertarian" label but stresses the danger of political tribalism.
  • "I essentially think that Ron Paul is the greatest living American hero and the Thomas Jefferson of our time, and he used the label libertarian, so I'm quite comfortable using the same one he did." (02:04, Dave Smith)
• Both host and guest posit that major parties are nearly indistinguishable on critical issues (war, the Federal Reserve, regulation).
  • "We have two parties in this country that are essentially one party when it comes to war..." (03:23, Dave Smith)
  • Partisan "team sport" mentality blinds people to real establishment consensus.

Dealing with Online Hate and Public Backlash

• Smith highlights sustaining principles and family as his anchor, refusing to self-censor to remain popular.
  • "I have to tell the truth as I see it, and that...everything I'm doing is on record and [my son] could see it one day." (06:15, Dave Smith)
  • Emphasizes that enduring online abuse is minor compared to genuine personal priorities.
  • "I'm 42. I'm going to be intimidated by the fact that someone on Twitter is going to call me a mean name or something like that? I don't care." (08:37, Dave Smith)
• Emotional distancing and intentional compartmentalizing between online engagement and real life are crucial.
  • "My thing is always like, you know, put the phone away. Go do family time. Like, compartmentalize it." (12:44, Dave Smith)

Contrarianism, Social Mobs, and Sensationalism

• The value of dissent versus the dangers of contrarianism for its own sake:
  • "You don't want to do it just for the sake of being contrarian... I try to do my best to guard against, like, just being unnecessarily contrarian." (09:45, Dave Smith)
• Host describes the tides of social media (e.g., response to public figures) as emotional manipulation.
  • Setting intention to avoid "riding the emotional wave every day." (11:00+)

Media Distraction and Real Issues

• The hosts worry crucial debates (e.g., Justice Department treating dissent as domestic terrorism, surveillance expansion) are drowned by culture war drama.
  • Visa requirement: now five years of social media history for immigrants — equated to Big Brother (13:55, Interviewer).
• Smith notes the foundational American right to challenge authority:
  • "The idea that the government...could then ever try to say that...overthrowing your own government is some type of moral sin...by definition is crazy." (15:18, Dave Smith)
• The narrative explosion after Charlie Kirk's assassination, the roles of Candace Owens, and public criticism:
  • It's vital to allow questions and criticism, refusing to enforce public silence regardless of sensitivity or political side. (20:00+)

The Manipulation of Identity, Victimhood, and Language

• Both discuss how historical atrocities (Holocaust, other genocides) are co-opted in present narratives, excluding some groups and weaponizing compassion.
  • "There's been a Holocaust industry that has tried to reduce that story down to being...a genocide of the Jews, which is...important...but there's a whole lot more to it than just that." (28:49, Dave Smith)

Media Gatekeeping, Censorship, and Career Incentives

• How establishment media and both parties punish anti-war dissenters:
  • "All those guys who Bill Buckley and Irving Kristol purged...when they would call people...when Dinesh d’Souza would get Sam Francis fired for being racist...Ron Paul would get Judge Napolitano...Phil Donahue...You know what all of them had in common? They were all anti war." (44:27, Dave Smith)
• Insider view on constraints in mainstream news ("unchaining" after leaving corporate media):
  • "Even if he had some of those thoughts while he was on Fox News, on some level he knows, 'Oh, man, this is going to be a whole thing if I say this here.'" (45:44, Dave Smith)

The Power and Limits of Independent Media

• Ron Paul’s advice: “Get in the media” for greater influence than politics.
  • Propaganda's power is waning; public is now able to resist government narratives, leading to hope for real accountability and anti-war sentiment.
  • "The US Government's propaganda apparatus has been obliterated. It doesn't exist anymore." (46:43, Dave Smith)

Optimism vs. Cynicism: The Path Forward

• Despite setbacks and government overreach, optimism is a moral and practical imperative:
  • "I don't have the option to be a glasses half empty type of guy...even if things seem impossible...like human beings are capable of creating amazing things." (49:37, Dave Smith)
  • Appeals to history: Communism's collapse, sudden abolition of slavery, etc., as unexpected positive change.
• The host is bolstered by Smith’s optimism, reaffirming the importance of “speaking for a free thinking movement that aimed at morality for everyone, every life is equal.” (52:55-53:43, Interviewer)

Notable Quotes

• On the true bipartisan establishment:
  "It’s a big club, and you ain’t in it." (04:55, Dave Smith quoting George Carlin)
• On withstanding online hate:
  "If the price tag for [my career] is some other people are upset, I’m quite comfortable with that exchange." (08:37, Dave Smith)
• On the right to dissent:
  "We have the right and the duty to overthrow that government and replace it with a new one. So...overthrowing your own government is some type of...moral sin on its face...by definition is crazy." (15:18, Dave Smith)
• On the manipulation of good impulses:
  "Governments are...very good at manipulating some of the best qualities in people and then turning them into bad results." (23:30, Dave Smith)
• On war propaganda:
  "All of the voices who got silenced and kicked out were all the ones who were against the warfare machine...that is the US government." (44:56, Dave Smith)
• On optimism:
  "Even if things seem impossible, like they can’t...human beings are capable of like creating amazing things and improving in amazing ways. And so I'm a total glasses half full person." (52:45, Dave Smith)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 00:00-01:29 — Ads and Show Opening (skipped)
• 01:29-05:28 — Rejecting Partisan Labels; Problems with Political Teams
• 05:28-09:06 — Handling Online Hate; Integrity vs. Popularity
• 09:06-12:43 — Avoiding Contrarianism for Its Own Sake; Managing Emotional Reactivity Online
• 12:43-15:18 — The Chaos of Modern News; Big Brother Surveillance & Domestic "Terrorism"
• 15:18-19:15 — Charlie Kirk, Candace Owens, and Public Grief/Accountability
• 19:15-22:41 — Candace Owens & Industry Narratives; Legitimate Questioning vs. Blind Trust
• 22:41-28:49 — Fear of Dissent, Historical Analogies, and Government Manipulation
• 28:49-36:10 — The Manipulation of Holocaust Narratives; Media Framing of War
• 36:10-46:14 — Establishment Media Crimes, Anti-War Voices, and Exclusion
• 46:14-49:37 — Ron Paul, Media Influence, Collapse of Propaganda
• 49:37-52:55 — Optimism versus Cynicism in Modern America
• 52:55-End — Gratitude, Closing Reflections

Tone

Honest, direct, irreverent—but fundamentally hopeful about the ability of independent voices to survive and counterbalance the establishment narrative.

Memorable Moments

• Dave’s blunt declaration: "That’s not what I think being a man is about...I'm going to tell the truth as I see it." (06:15)
• Discussion of Tucker Carlson’s and Candace Owens’ roles as anti-war voices even within the Trump orbit—showing the center no longer holds for propaganda. (46:43)
• Optimism grounded in parental responsibility—Dave likening cynicism to giving up while your own family needs protection. (49:37)

Summary prepared for quick reference and in-depth understanding for listeners and non-listeners alike.