"American Power Comes With Strings Attached": JD Vance’s Bizarre Notion of Free Speech and NATO
J.D. Vance, the Republican vice-presidential candidate and author of the bestselling memoir Hillbilly Elegy, has a peculiar interpretation of the concept of free speech and its place in the global order. In a recent interview with YouTuber Shawn Ryan, Vance argued that the United States’ continued support of NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, should hinge upon European countries’ willingness to cater to the whims of Elon Musk, the controversial billionaire and owner of the social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
This eyebrow-raising claim stems from Vance’s belief that European Union regulators were "threatening" Musk with arrest for potentially platforming former President Donald Trump, who, according to Vance, is "the likely next president of the United States." The specific regulator Vance refers to is Thierry Breton, a European commissioner, who in August did send a letter to Musk expressing concern about the potential spread of extremist content on X. However, Breton never threatened arrest.
Vance, however, misconstrues this as an assault on free speech and uses it as a wedge to justify his ultimatum: "So what America should be saying is, ‘Oh, if NATO wants us to continue supporting them and NATO wants us to continue to be a good participant in this military alliance, why don’t you respect American values and respect free speech?’"
This assertion is not only demonstrably false but also speaks to a dangerous misunderstanding of both NATO’s purpose and the role of the United States in the world. The treaty establishing NATO contains no clause obligating member states to ignore domestic laws regarding hate speech or misinformation in favor of US interests, regardless of whether American senators from Ohio like it or not.
Vance’s argument rests on the premise that "free speech" is a singular, universally applicable concept, when, in reality, it’s a nuanced and contested term with varying interpretations across countries and cultures. The United States, for all its rhetoric about free speech, has its own limitations on speech, including laws prohibiting incitement to violence and false advertising. European nations, similarly, have their own boundaries on hate speech and the spread of disinformation, which are often justified by the need to protect vulnerable groups and maintain social cohesion.
Vance’s suggestion to use US support for NATO as leverage against European countries’ free speech regulations is a dangerous one with potentially catastrophic consequences. It threatens to undermine the very fabric of NATO, a cornerstone of European and global security for almost 75 years, based on a myopic and self-serving vision of free speech. Further, it risks jeopardizing fragile alliances and creating an environment of distrust and animosity, precisely the conditions that authoritarians like Trump seek to cultivate.
Vance’s insistence that "American power comes with certain strings attached" is equally concerning. It reveals a dangerous tilt towards unilateralism and a belief that the United States should dictate both internal and external policies to its allies. This "America First" mentality, reminiscent of Trump’s isolationist tendencies, stands in stark contrast to the principles of multilateralism and international cooperation that have been the bedrock of US foreign policy for decades.
Vance’s comments are not just factually inaccurate; they also reveal a disconcerting trend within the Trump Republican party. While he claims to be promoting American values, the reality is that his rhetoric aligns with a dangerous form of nationalism that prioritizes the interests of one country above all others. It is a nationalist agenda that often relies on the demonization of "the other," whether it be European nations or immigrants.
This is not just a matter of ideological disagreement. There is a clear pattern in Vance’s recent statements that further reveals his disturbing penchant for xenophobia and hate speech. He has been consistently criticized for his dehumanizing rhetoric targeting those who don’t have children, a group he once referred to as "childless cat ladies," arguing that they were "ruining America." He also played a part in spreading a demonstrably false and racist narrative about Haitian migrants in Ohio, claiming they were eating the pets of local residents. This narrative, which was explicitly designed to inflame racial tensions and demonize a vulnerable community, has no basis in reality.
The recent Trump campaign advertisement depicting Kamala Harris and Tim Walz, the Democratic Governor of Minnesota, in 1960s-style Chinese Communist attire, is another example of this blatant tactic of fearmongering and bigotry. The racist and misleading imagery of the ad, combined with the inflammatory rhetoric about "communism" and "Manchurian candidates", is a clear attempt to appeal to a base that thrives on prejudice and xenophobia.
It is essential to remember that these actions are not isolated incidents—they reflect a pattern of behavior that, unfortunately, resonates with many members of this current iteration of the Republican party. The normalization of these harmful and divisive tactics is a threat to the very core of a functioning democracy. It is a reminder that unchecked power can descend into the abyss of authoritarianism, where truth is sacrificed at the altar of fear and prejudice.
The upcoming election is crucial. With just 49 days until Election Day, it is critical that every eligible voter understands the stakes involved and participates in the democratic process. This is not just about voting for the "lesser of two evils," but rather about actively choosing to reject a political system that seeks to erode our shared values and pit us against each other. We must remember that democracy is not a spectator sport; it requires active participation and a constant vigilance against the forces that seek to undermine it. The future of our nation depends on it.
