Episode 470 – The Group Chats That Changed America (w/ Ben Smith)

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Semifor editor-in-chief and former EIC of Buzzfeed News Ben Smith joins Bad Faith to discuss his recent exposé on the private group chats in which tech billionaires like Marc Andreessen & Mark Cuban build consensus and debate ideas with handpicked “smart” men who are ideologically right-of-center — all hidden from public eyes and public pushback. In theory, these chats were designed to be ‘safe spaces’ in which the Richard Hananias, Christopher Rufos, and even Thomas Chatterton Williamses could discuss ideas without censorship on liberal-leaning social media apps. But what purpose do they serve once Williams is booted for ideological consistency on free speech issues and even Hanania is outed for his willingness to question Trump denialism? The conversation broadens to a critique of mainstream media’s handling of left politics, and Smith’s editorial role as the head of several major media outlets.

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Produced by Armand Aviram.

Theme by Nick Thorburn (@nickfromislands).