The Tom Woods Show – Episode 2739

"Truth is Treason in the Empire of Lies"
February 28, 2026
Guest: Charles Goyette
Host: Tom Woods

Episode Overview

In this episode, Tom Woods welcomes legendary broadcaster and New York Times bestselling author Charles Goyette to discuss Goyette's new book, Empire of Fragments from the Memory Hole: The Shameful Story of the Deep State's Warlords, War Lies, and Failed Foreign Interventions. Together, they delve into the manipulative machinery of the deep state, discuss the rewriting of history, and share first-hand experiences of being on the outside of mainstream narratives—especially during times of war. The conversation is a critical exploration of state power, media complicity, and the persistent struggle to tell uncomfortable truths.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Charles Goyette's Radio Experience During the Iraq War

• Early Stand Against War:
  • Goyette recounts working at Clear Channel, a major radio conglomerate with deep Bush connections, and his opposition to the Iraq war. His refusal to participate in "Support the Troops" rallies—thinly veiled pro-war, pro-Bush events—isolated him at the station.
  • Cultural Fear and Censorship: He describes a chilling environment where colleagues became afraid to be seen with him, and even high-level consultants admitted agreement privately but insisted on secrecy (see Notable Quotes).
• Consequences of Speaking Out:
  • Despite high ratings, management tried to silence him, eventually marginalizing him into an unfavorable time slot until his contract expired.
  • Goyette reflects on the lasting lessons from this period and mentions that some former critics later admitted he was right after subsequent events unfolded.

Notable Quote:

"They create this atmosphere of fear, you know, that my colleagues were afraid of being tainted or marginalized by association with me..."
— Charles Goyette (03:27)

Timestamp:

• [02:06]–[05:57] Charles’s retelling of his ostracization over Iraq War opposition.

2. Changing Political Atmosphere on War and Intervention

• Transformation in Right-Wing Attitudes:
  • Woods points out that, unlike in 2003, it's now respectable to oppose foreign interventions from the right.
  • Goyette questions how many Trump supporters, originally anti-regime change, quickly reversed when provoked by new war drums.
• Ron Paul’s Pivotal Role:
  • Before Ron Paul’s presidential runs, there was little permission for conservatives to be openly anti-war. Dr. Paul’s visibility changed that, bringing non-interventionist arguments into mainstream discourse.

Timestamp:

• [06:09]–[08:38] Discussion on the shift in antiwar sentiment and Ron Paul’s role.

3. From Establishment Republican to Skeptic

• Goyette’s Evolution:
  • Initially a "movement conservative," Goyette became increasingly disillusioned by repeated government lies about foreign policy—from Vietnam to Kosovo to Iraq.
  • He stresses that tribal loyalty to party over truth perpetuates deception on all sides, referencing scriptural and literary wisdom about self-examination and intellectual honesty.
• Insider Republican Credentials:
  • Goyette’s deep roots in conservative politics (e.g., Goldwater Institute) highlight the magnitude of his break with party orthodoxy on matters of war.

Timestamp:

• [08:38]–[10:38] Goyette’s background and awakening.

4. Manufacturing Consent and the Memory Hole

• Orwellian Rewriting of History:
  • The "memory hole" concept from Orwell's 1984 frames the discussion. Goyette connects it to U.S. foreign policy, recollecting specific lies that paved the way for war.
• Fabrication of Evidence — Iraq Aluminum Tubes Case:
  • Goyette details how Cheney's office planted the "aluminum tubes" story in the New York Times, only to cite the article as independent proof on talk shows, demonstrating the media-government echo chamber.
• First Gulf War—Phantom Army:
  • An independent journalist debunked government claims of Iraqi troops massed on the Saudi border, exposing another manufactured pretext for war.

Notable Quote:

"They took their package story and they fed it to the lapdog press... And then they fed it back to the Vice President... who then went on TV and said, 'Don't take it from me, here it is on the front page of the New York Times.'"
— Charles Goyette (19:43)

Timestamp:

• [16:15]–[24:40] On propaganda, historical amnesia, and specific wartime deceptions.

5. Understanding the Deep State

• Broad Definition:
  • The deep state is not just top intelligence officials but an entire network of bureaucrats across government acting to sustain the American military empire.
  • Example: Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman believed the President should obey the "consensus foreign policy of the interagency," a doctrine totally absent from the Constitution.
• Historical Deep State Actions:
  • Revelations about Joint Chiefs spying on Nixon’s White House—stealing thousands of classified documents to pursue their own policy preferences.

Notable Quote:

"The deep state works all the way up and down the bureaucracy... The global American military empire, the empire of lies is the organizing principle of the deep state. The deep state is its executive arm."
— Charles Goyette (24:40)

Timestamp:

• [24:40]–[28:30] On the deep state’s scope and historical examples.

6. Combat Envy and the Military-Industrial-Media Network

• Media’s Role in Warmongering:
  • Goyette dissects the phenomenon of "combat envy"—media figures with no experience in war who are the most vocally hawkish.
  • Cases cited include:
    • Brian Williams: Fabricated stories about his wartime exploits, yet suffered minimal professional penalty due to his unwavering military PR stance.
    • Wayne Simmons (Fox): A conman who masqueraded as a CIA expert and advocated war, unchecked for years.
    • Bill O’Reilly: Lied about war zone experiences, yet faced no consequences from Fox due to his parroting of pro-military narratives.

Notable Quotes:

"One of the characteristics that seems to prevail is they are never at risk themselves in the combat that they so much envy."
— Charles Goyette (32:40)

"Selling the war, which is good for ratings, selling the Fox News alert, selling the fear, fearmongering, warmongering is more important to them..."
— Charles Goyette (38:00)

Timestamp:

• [32:19]–[41:29] On media complicity, fabricated credentials, and the incentives of war coverage.

7. Challenges and Prospects for Truth-Telling

• The Importance of Independent Voices:
  • Ron Paul’s interventions on national TV (e.g., debunking 9/11 blowback with Rudy Giuliani) changed public discourse.
  • Tom Woods recounts how mainstream figures (like Sean Hannity) are often ignorant of well-documented counterarguments, underscoring the value of independent media and critical scholarship.

Notable Quote:

"Until [Dr. Paul] came along and forced the issue... it would never be, well, what are we doing this for? Maybe we should consider for once in our lives not doing something..."
— Tom Woods (38:08)

Timestamp:

• [38:08]–[42:07] On the critical role of iconoclasts in public debate.

8. Technological Change—Then and Now

• Media Monopolies vs. Decentralized Information:
  • Goyette contrasts the tightly controlled news ecosystem of the 1960s and 70s with today’s fragmented, smartphone-enabled landscape.
  • While skepticism is higher, the syndrome of resigned distrust persists (“We know we’re being lied to, but what are you going to do?”), a trajectory he warns is dangerous for the republic.

Timestamp:

• [42:07]–[44:19] On changing access to information and public attitudes toward official narratives.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Atmosphere of Fear in Establishment Media:
  • "Even the most powerful people in the industry... called me at home and said, 'I agree with everything you're saying...don't tell anybody.'" — Charles Goyette ([03:27])
• On Manufactured Press Cycles:
  • "They fed it to the lapdog press... then cited that press as their own proof." — Charles Goyette ([19:43])
• On the Deep State:
  • "The empire of lies is the organizing principle of the deep state. The deep state is its executive arm." — Charles Goyette ([24:40])
• On Media “Combat Envy”:
  • "They are never at risk themselves in the combat that they so much envy." — Charles Goyette ([32:40])
• On Shifting Public Awareness:
  • "...They roll their eyes a little bit, but they're like captives who have made their peace with the state." — Charles Goyette ([43:00])
• Tribute to Tom Woods:
  • "You have opened so many eyes and you're a great instructor and explainer... You have no idea the impact you have made..." — Charles Goyette ([45:03])

Important Timestamps

| Timestamp | Segment Description | |-----------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:06 | Goyette's experience at Clear Channel during Iraq War | | 05:57 | Woods’ perspective on shifting anti-war sentiment | | 08:38 | Goyette’s evolution from mainstream Republican to dissident voice | | 16:15 | Orwell’s 'memory hole' and the manufacturing of war propaganda | | 19:43 | Example of "aluminum tubes" media manipulation pre-Iraq war | | 24:40 | Deep state’s definition and its historical operations | | 32:19 | "Combat envy" and the fake credentials of hawkish media personalities | | 38:08 | Impact of Ron Paul & the challenge to the war consensus in media | | 42:07 | Changing face of media, skepticism, and technology’s role | | 45:03 | Goyette’s praise for Woods’ influence |

Tone and Language

The conversation is frank and iconoclastic, with both Woods and Goyette displaying a mix of rueful humor, deep skepticism, and a sense of mission toward exposing manipulation and restoring critical thinking. References to Orwell, historical events, and contemporary media personalities keep the discussion vivid and relevant.

Recommended Action

• Read Charles Goyette’s Empire of Lies for a thorough documentation of the deep state's historical and contemporary methods for swaying public opinion and sabotaging truth-tellers.
• Visit TomWoods.com/2739 for direct access to the episode, book links, and further resources on liberty-focused dissent.