Facts aren’t just for show, they’re free speech

Let’s keep this short

This standoff lays bare a glaring hypocrisy: celebrated as a mantra, “free speech” suddenly grows timid when it exposes the true cost of policy. Labeling tariffs isn’t partisan theater — it’s consumer clarity. Yet Amazon, spooked by a presidential complaint, shelved its plan, even as competitors proudly itemize their import surcharges.

Most of us brushed this off as another billionaire detente — an epic clash between Bezos and the ex–reality star turned president. We laughed at the soap-opera, not realizing it masked a deeper threat: the ease with which political pressure can gag transparency. Dismissing it as drama alone is a huge mistake.

I used to think the crisis of democracy in America was overblown — until a Putineque ruler picks up the phone to muzzle anyone presenting facts he dislikes, branding honesty “hostile.” Meanwhile, ordinary shoppers stay unaware of how much of their spending is swallowed by policy.

So here’s the chilling question: how long until this ruler moves beyond complaints and takes real action against those he deems hostile?