Reason.com

Free Speech Unmuted: "Defamacast" and More: How American Defamation Law Works

Apr 29, 2026Center Right

Jane and I lay out the structure of American defamation law, using the recent lawsuits brought by FBI Director Kash Patel as a launching point. Special bonus: Almost no discussion of New York Times v. Sullivan (an important case but one that listeners have doubtless heard much about elsewhere).

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'God is angry': Internet bemused as Mother Nature comes for Trump's Mount Rushmore speech

Raw Story

2 hours ago

'God is angry': Internet bemused as Mother Nature comes for Trump's Mount Rushmore speech

Severe weather threatened to put a damper on Friday on President Donald Trump's plans to speak near Mount Rushmore in South Dakota, prompting amusement from internet critics who said it seemingly indicated "god is angry."Trump was flying to South Dakota as part of a broader July 4 and America-250 trip, planning to visit the iconic American landmark for an Independence Day fireworks celebration. But Mother Nature, it seems, had other plans. A severe thunderstorm warning was in effect until 7:30 p.m. Eastern Time for the area, with quarter size hail that could damage vehicles reported by the National Weather Service. "Seek shelter inside a well-built structure and stay away from windows. This storm is capable of producing large hail," an alert on the weather service read.The weather alert forced Fox News to scramble, with host Bret Baier telling viewers they had breaking news."They just said there is severe weather on the way. In fact, they said hail could be coming, and they are urging everybody to get inside," said Baier, adding: "We're going to get to shelter."The setback prompted mockery from onlookers, with Ron Filipkowski, editor-in-chief of the progressive MeidasTouch news outlet, quipping on X, "God is angry."Dan Koh, a Massachusetts Democrat running for Congress, chimed in on X, "Considering Trump wants to cut the National Park Service budget by 40% and Mount Rushmore has a $57m repair backlog, you better run."The progressive influencer account known as Polly Sigh added: "Calamitous weather seems to follow Trump around these days. Mother Nature is so over him."Writer Joe Flood joked, "damn antifa!"Trump has had mixed luck with weather in recent weeks, with scorching temperatures and rain derailing his Great American State Fair.Fox at Mount Rushmore: They just said there is severe weather on the way. In fact, they said hail could be coming and they are urging everybody to get inside. We're going to get to shelter. pic.twitter.com/hyfc0nPghU— Acyn (@Acyn) July 3, 2026

Far Left

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Great American State Fair flyovers showcase military might

NewsNation

2 hours ago

Great American State Fair flyovers showcase military might

Multiple flyovers have entertained visitors in the lead up to America's 250th birthday.

Center

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How private equity destroyed an American pastime

Salon.com

3 hours ago

How private equity destroyed an American pastime

A class-action suit against Lucky Strike Entertainment is a sad coda to the end of bowling

Left

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Melania gives Congress private deadline as she works around Trump's team: report

Raw Story

4 hours ago

Melania gives Congress private deadline as she works around Trump's team: report

First lady Melania Trump gave Congress a private deadline to pass her signature foster care bill, and she is pursuing it largely outside the usual White House channels, according to a new report in Politico. At a bipartisan roundtable with the House Ways and Means Committee in April, the first lady publicly called foster care legislation a "moral imperative." Then, behind closed doors, she set a target, Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) told the outlet: "I want this on Donald's desk by the August recess." The Fostering the Future Act, which expands housing, education and workforce help for young people aging out of foster care, passed the House unanimously.The Senate has not moved it out of committee, and lawmakers are set to leave Washington around Aug. 10. At a White House picnic the day the House passed the bill, both Trumps urged the Senate to hurry. "Hopefully, it will quickly pass in the Senate," the president said. He has not publicly pressed senators since.The deadline reflects a first lady who increasingly operates on her own track. Her office, not the State Department, has led her effort to reunite children displaced by the Russia-Ukraine war, negotiating directly with Moscow and Kyiv, the White House said. She has also shown a willingness to diverge from the administration's message. She broke with the White House on Epstein, calling for survivors to testify as the president's team tried to move past the scandal, and last week put her own spin on a Supreme Court ruling her husband celebrated, voicing support for the LGBTQIA+ community.A recent book recounted how she resisted Trump's overhaul of the White House grounds and lost.

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Trump’s ‘ramped up’ rhetoric leaves unifying tone of July Fourth speech in question

NBC News Politics

4 hours ago

Trump’s ‘ramped up’ rhetoric leaves unifying tone of July Fourth speech in question

President Trump prepares to travel to Mount Rushmore to deliver remarks for the United States’ 250th birthday. NBC News correspondents Gabe Gutierrez and Julie Tsirkin join Meet the Press NOW to discuss what to expect from the President’s upcoming addresses and July Fourth celebrations.

Center Left

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‘A total disappointment’: revelers face unbearable heat at Great American State Fair

US news | The Guardian

6 hours ago

‘A total disappointment’: revelers face unbearable heat at Great American State Fair

Attendance had been thin to Trump’s ‘unbelievable’ event before an increase on Friday – and then the high temperatures swept inEven by Trumpian standards, the event was promoted with intense hyperbole: nothing short, the US president suggested, of the “the most unforgettable birthday party any country has ever seen”.“It’s gonna be great,” Donald Trump proclaimed on the opening night of the Great American State Fair, the centerpiece of the US 250th anniversary celebrations. “It’s gonna be unbelievable.” Continue reading...

Center Left

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Extreme heat temporarily closes Great American State Fair

NewsNation

6 hours ago

Extreme heat temporarily closes Great American State Fair

Much of the country is under a heat dome that is shattering temperature records.

Center

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Americans Cheer as B-2 Stealth Bomber, Fighter Aircraft Fly Over Great American State Fair in DC Amid 250 Celebrations (VIDEO)

The Gateway Pundit

6 hours ago

Americans Cheer as B-2 Stealth Bomber, Fighter Aircraft Fly Over Great American State Fair in DC Amid 250 Celebrations (VIDEO)

B-2 Bombers and other fighter aircraft flew over the Great American State Fair in DC on Friday. The post Americans Cheer as B-2 Stealth Bomber, Fighter Aircraft Fly Over Great American State Fair in DC Amid 250 Celebrations (VIDEO) appeared first on The Gateway Pundit.

Far Right

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Free Speech Unmuted: "Defamacast" and More: How American Defamation Law Works

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Free Speech Unmuted: "Defamacast" and More: How American Defamation Law Works

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