Episode Summary: "American Oligarchs"
Podcast: Verdict with Ted Cruz
Release Date: October 21, 2020

Introduction

In the episode titled "American Oligarchs," host Michael Knowles engages in a comprehensive discussion with Senator Ted Cruz about the escalating concerns surrounding Big Tech's influence on free expression, the First Amendment, and the democratic process. The conversation delves into recent governmental actions targeting major technology companies, particularly focusing on the Department of Justice's (DOJ) antitrust lawsuit against Google and the Senate Judiciary Committee's intentions to subpoena CEOs Jack Dorsey (Twitter) and Mark Zuckerberg (Facebook).

Big Tech's Censorship of the New York Post's Hunter Biden Story

The episode opens with a critical examination of Big Tech's role in suppressing significant media reports. Senator Cruz recounts the incident where both Twitter and Facebook blocked the New York Post's investigative stories concerning Hunter Biden and alleged connections to Joe Biden.

• Suppression of First Story:
  Senator Cruz explains, “If any individual user tried to tweet out that New York Post story, you got a warning sign that said you couldn't tweet it, you couldn't post it. And Twitter said that this was potentially harmful” (01:28).

• Suppression of Second Story:
  The conversation highlights a second instance where a follow-up story accusing Joe Biden of accepting money from Communist China was also blocked by Twitter, reinforcing the pattern of censorship (03:10).

Government Actions Against Big Tech

DOJ's Antitrust Lawsuit Against Google

The DOJ has initiated an antitrust lawsuit against Google, alleging that the company holds a monopoly and abuses its market power. Senator Cruz outlines the initial focus of the case:

• Monopoly and Market Abuse:
  “They're bringing a case that Google is a monopoly and it's abusing its monopoly power,” Cruz states, emphasizing practices like forcing phone companies to preload Google as the default search engine (17:49).

• Impact on Free Speech:
  Cruz expresses concerns that Google's dominance in search not only affects market competition but also enables the company to manipulate information flow, posing a threat to free speech and democratic discourse (20:23).

Senate Judiciary Committee's Subpoena Plans

In response to Big Tech's censorship actions, the Senate Judiciary Committee plans to subpoena Twitter and Facebook executives to testify.

• Immediate Actions:
  “Lindsey and me talking in the ante room. And we agreed. Let's go announce it,” Cruz recounts the spontaneous decision to publicize the intention to subpoena Jack Dorsey and Mark Zuckerberg during a hearing (05:24).

• Committee Dynamics:
  Cruz contrasts the Judiciary Committee's rigorous approach with the more conciliatory Commerce Committee, advocating for in-person testimonies to ensure accountability (12:19).

The Impact of Big Tech on Free Speech and Democracy

Senator Cruz passionately argues that Big Tech companies, by controlling the dissemination of information, wield disproportionate power that threatens democratic institutions and free speech.

• Censorship of Media Outlets:
  “They silenced a major media publication. The New York Post... silenced the media from speaking,” Cruz emphasizes the alarming trend of media suppression by Big Tech (08:03).

• Oligarchs and Power Abuse:
  Describing these tech leaders as “American oligarchs,” Cruz warns of the dangers posed by their unchecked power, likening them to Russian oligarchs in terms of influence and disregard for democratic norms (09:15).

Antitrust Discussion: Google's Monopoly and Section 230

The conversation shifts to the broader implications of antitrust laws and Section 230, which provides Big Tech companies with immunity from liability for user-generated content.

• Antitrust Laws and Free Markets:
  Cruz defends antitrust actions against Google, clarifying that regulating monopolistic practices does not equate to government overreach into speech: “There's a difference between that and not letting someone abuse their monopoly power” (20:23).

• Section 230 Critique:
  He criticizes Section 230 as a form of corporate welfare that shields Big Tech from accountability, arguing for its termination to restore free market principles and reduce the power imbalance (21:55).

Conclusion

Senator Cruz reiterates the necessity of government intervention to curb Big Tech's influence, advocating for increased transparency and accountability to protect democratic values. The episode underscores the urgency of addressing the monopolistic and censorial behaviors of major technology companies to safeguard free speech and ensure a fair public discourse.

Notable Quotes

• Senator Ted Cruz on Big Tech's Censorship:
  “They silenced a major media publication. The New York Post... silenced the media from speaking.” (08:03)

• On Government's Response:
  “I want to drag their asses to Washington to sit down in that hearing and answer questions.” (14:42)

• Discussing Antitrust and Free Speech:
  “There's a difference between that and not letting someone abuse their monopoly power.” (20:23)

• On Section 230:
  “Section 230... is a subsidy to the biggest, most profitable companies on earth. It's corporate welfare.” (21:55)

Key Takeaways

• Big Tech's Growing Power:
  The episode highlights the increasing influence of technology giants in controlling information flow and shaping public discourse, posing significant threats to free speech and democratic institutions.

• Government Intervention is Crucial:
  There is a pressing need for governmental actions, including antitrust lawsuits and congressional subpoenas, to hold Big Tech accountable and prevent abuse of power.

• Reforming Legal Frameworks:
  Revisiting and potentially repealing Section 230 is essential to dismantle the monopolistic advantages enjoyed by Big Tech and restore competitive fairness in the market.

Note: This summary is based on the transcript provided, which appears to be from "Verdict with Ted Cruz" rather than "The 47 Morning Update with Ben Ferguson." The summary aligns with the content and discussions presented in the transcript.