What A Day – "Trump’s War On Free Speech"

Host: Jane Coaston
Guests: Sen. Alyssa Slatkin, Jon Favreau, David Gilbert
Date: September 19, 2025

Overview

In this episode, host Jane Coaston dives into a week of escalating challenges to free speech and democratic norms in the United States. The show examines President Trump's efforts to pressure media companies, the fallout from the suspension of late-night host Jimmy Kimmel, congressional responses, and the broader implications for American freedoms. Coaston features interviews with Sen. Alyssa Slatkin and Crooked Media’s Jon Favreau, and spotlights a growing culture of political intimidation, detailing concerns about government overreach, media self-censorship, and mobilization against creeping authoritarianism. The episode also covers other major political developments, such as rapid Senate confirmations, CDC controversies, and the war in Gaza.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

The FCC, Jimmy Kimmel, and Government "Jawboning"

[00:02–02:34]

• FCC Chairman Brendan Carr called for “consequences” against Jimmy Kimmel after Kimmel’s critical remarks about President Trump.

• Major TV station groups Nexstar and Sinclair preempted Kimmel’s show; Disney indefinitely suspended it.

• This sequence is identified as "jawboning," where government officials informally pressure private companies on content.

• Coaston frames it as a chilling moment for free speech:

  "Leave it to Trump to say the somewhat quiet part really, really loudly." – Jane Coaston [01:35]

• Trump openly critiques liberal media and threatens licensing, saying:

  "They're licensed. They're not allowed to do." – Donald Trump [01:54]
  Coaston responds:
  "They can. They absolutely are allowed to." – Jane Coaston [02:00]

Legislative Pushback: The NOPE Act

[02:34–04:21]

• Democrats introduce the “No Political Enemies” (NOPE) Act to protect individuals targeted for political speech.

• Sen. Alyssa Slatkin highlights the Trump administration’s pattern of targeting critical voices and connects this to Project 2025—a conservative blueprint for government overhaul.

  "Brendan Carr literally was one of the authors of that. He told us what he was going to do and now he's doing it." – Sen. Slatkin [02:57]

• Slatkin notes:

  "President has a goal of curbing speech when it's someone who doesn't agree with him and who calls him out and who makes fun of him." – Sen. Slatkin [03:16]

• The convergence of media suppression with recent political violence makes the current climate particularly volatile.

Calls for Accountability & Democratic Strategy

[04:21–07:41]

• Congressional Democrats (Schumer & Jeffries) call for FCC Chair Carr’s resignation; Slatkin agrees, seeing Carr’s actions as “beyond the pale.”

  "This is supposed to be an independent body...so that we don't have censorship and we don't have pressure on organizations." – Sen. Slatkin [04:40]

• Slatkin describes the limited recourse Democrats have when out of power, emphasizing grassroots mobilization and long-term planning:

  "Strategic planning and popular mobilization are really important now." – Sen. Slatkin [06:29]

Looming Government Shutdown & Health Care Stalemate

[08:02–12:06]

• Slatkin outlines the stakes over Medicaid and ACA subsidy cuts and Democrats’ unwillingness to vote for a budget without restoring key health care funds.

  "We've been in the Trump administration for eight months. He has systematically made America poorer and sicker, period." – Sen. Slatkin [08:25]

• She calls for adult, pragmatic negotiation:

  "You cannot count on my vote if you're not going to have a real conversation about health care in America." – Sen. Slatkin [09:50]

• Congress faces a classic standoff: Republicans resisting compromise, Democrats betting on public support for popular programs.
• Coaston’s humor lightens the tone after a metaphor about “fat free ice cream” [07:41–08:02].

Senate, CDC, and International Headlines

[14:39–18:51]

• Senate fast-tracks confirmations for 48 Trump nominees using new procedural rules.
• CDC’s vaccine advisory panel, now with new members, faces confusion over new vaccine recommendations for children.
• International: Trump and UK Prime Minister Starmer voice rare disagreements on the war in Gaza and Ukraine.

  "I have a disagreement with the Prime Minister on that score. One of our few disagreements actually." – Trump [17:42]

Trump’s "War on Antifa" and Domestic Terrorism Label

[18:51–20:36]

• Trump repeats plans to designate antifa as a terrorist organization—raising legal and practical questions, as antifa isn’t a centralized group and domestic organizations have First Amendment protections.
• David Gilbert (Wired):

  "There is no CEO of Antifa. ... People on the right have seen this idea of Antifa grow as their kind of enemy." – David Gilbert [19:23]

• Worry that this is a pretense for broader crackdowns and a signal to far-right actors:

  "Trump has effectively...given them the green light to attack them." – David Gilbert [20:09]

The Media Environment & Liberal Response

[20:36–25:20]

• Trump administration and allies explicitly label liberals, Democrats, and critics as “terrorists.”

  "The Democrat Party is not a political party. It is a domestic extremist organization." – Stephen Miller [21:14]

• Jon Favreau interview:

  "There was already a government crackdown happening before Charlie Kirk's assassination. I think the assassination accelerated it." – Jon Favreau [22:10]

• Favreau emphasizes the importance of continuing factual, accurate reporting, resisting fear, and building awareness and solidarity:

  "Authoritarian regimes thrive on fear...But it's not going to stop us from doing our jobs." – Jon Favreau [23:16] "I do think there is strength in numbers and I do think there's power in solidarity." – Jon Favreau [24:00] "Building awareness...is a good first step." – Jon Favreau [25:16]

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Leave it to Trump to say the somewhat quiet part really, really loudly." – Jane Coaston [01:35]
• "President has a goal of curbing speech when it's someone who doesn’t agree with him." – Sen. Slatkin [03:16]
• "You cannot count on my vote if you're not going to have a real conversation about health care in America." – Sen. Slatkin [09:50]
• "There is no CEO of Antifa." – David Gilbert [19:23]
• "Authoritarian regimes thrive on fear." – Jon Favreau [23:16]
• "The Democrat Party is not a political party. It is a domestic extremist organization." – Stephen Miller [21:14]
• "Building awareness...is a good first step." – Jon Favreau [25:16]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:02–02:34 — FCC “jawboning” and Kimmel’s suspension
• 02:34–07:41 — Sen. Slatkin interview: NOPE Act, free speech, tactical response
• 08:02–12:06 — Health care, shutdown stakes, negotiation standoffs
• 14:39–15:00 — Senate confirmation of 48 Trump nominees
• 15:00–17:42 — CDC vaccine panel confusion, Russia/Ukraine, Gaza/Palestine updates
• 18:51–20:36 — Trump on antifa; legal/domestic terrorism labeling debate
• 20:36–25:20 — Politicization of liberal media, Jon Favreau interview: media strategy & solidarity

Tone & Language

The episode maintains a trademark balance of urgency, factual reporting, and dry humor, typical of Coaston and Crooked Media. The conversations are candid, with guests expressing both exasperation and determination in the face of mounting pressure. There’s a clear commitment to democratic values, transparency, and public mobilization.

Conclusion

“What A Day” presents a sobering portrait of the political and media landscape as the Trump administration escalates pressure on dissenters and expands executive power. The episode highlights legislative and media resistance, provides critical context and strategy, and calls listeners to stay informed and engaged. The message: Even as institutions are tested, there are ways to organize, persist, and protect what’s left of free speech and democratic debate.