Trump lifts free speech ban on federal officials, gets support from Elon Musk

Donald Trump has made free speech a central theme of his presidential campaign. He recently pledged to sign an executive order aimed at preventing federal employees from restricting speech if he wins the presidency.

During his Republican National Convention acceptance speech, Trump stated, "I will fire every federal bureaucrat who is engaged in domestic censorship under the Kamala regime."

Elon Musk expressed support for Trump’s views on this rally and commented below the Trump X video.

Trump's reform of education rhetoric

Trump’s plans extend to education, where he intends to cut federal funding for schools that teach concepts like critical race theory and gender ideology. He argues these ideas are inappropriate for children. This stance is not a new one for Trump; during his presidency, he established the 1776 Commission to counteract educational perspectives that he felt unfairly criticised America’s founders.

For years, Trump has also been critical of big tech companies, accusing them of silencing conservative voices. In 2021, he even filed lawsuits against Facebook, Twitter, and Google, alleging these platforms were censoring speech unfairly.

Criticism of Trump’s Free Speech Advocacy

Trump’s record on free speech, however, has faced significant criticism. His administration rolled back civil rights protections for LGBTQ+ students, raising questions about whose speech he prioritises. Moreover, his proposed regulations limiting discussions on race and gender in schools have led critics to argue that his policies could actually restrict free expression.

Despite these criticisms, Trump’s campaign remains focused on opposing what they term as "radical gender ideology" promoted by the current administration. They have promised to revoke the existing Title IX regulations if Trump is elected, emphasising that decisions about children’s education should be made by parents, not the government.

Trump trailed by Harris in polls

As the election draws nearer, polls show a tight race between Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris. According to a New York Times/Siena College poll, Trump leads Harris by just one point, 48% to 47%. This marks the first time Harris’s numbers have dropped since she entered the race.

Harris is performing better among younger voters, leading Trump by 9 points among those under 45 and by 10 points among suburban voters, which could be crucial in battleground states like Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Trump, however, maintains a strong lead among men, with a 17-point advantage, while Harris leads among women by 11 points. In swing states, the margins are extremely narrow.

Trump is currently leading in Arizona, while Harris holds a slight edge in Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Voter sentiment indicates that 28% of the electorate is interested in learning more about Harris’s policies, compared to just 9% for Trump, suggesting potential growth for her campaign. Both candidates are gearing up for a debate on September 10, which could significantly impact the race.

Voters focus on economy

The economy remains a major concern for voters. Inflation has decreased, with the Consumer Price Index (CPI) showing a 2.9% year-over-year increase, a significant drop from pandemic highs. The core CPI, excluding volatile food and energy prices, rose by 0.2% for the second consecutive month, with an annual increase of 3.2%, the lowest since 2021.

While the job market is still robust, with unemployment near a 50-year low, job growth is slowing, particularly in the private sector, where gains have fallen below 100,000 on average over the last three months. Some economists are concerned about a potential recession, despite low unemployment claims and strong corporate earnings.

Wages and disposable income are rising, contributing to a sense of financial security among the public. New business starts have reached record levels, indicating bullish sentiment. Although the stock market experienced a rough patch in August, with the S&P 500 having its worst week in a year and a half in early September, analysts are optimistic about a rebound next month.

The Federal Reserve is anticipated to cut interest rates on September 18, citing current economic data as justification. Fed officials are closely monitoring the upcoming consumer price report for further guidance.