Melanie Phillips - The West Must Do This To Survive The Future

In this episode of The Winston Marshall Show, I sit down with Mike Benz, former State Department official and leading critic of the Censorship Industrial Complex, to expose how governments and NGOs are working hand-in-glove with Big Tech to police free speech across the West.Mike explains how the EU’s Digital Services Act and Britain’s Online Safety Act are being used to impose AI-driven censorship, threatening not only European citizens but also Americans posting from within the US. We explore how these laws function as a “digital censorship regime,” backed by crippling fines and international coordination.From USAID funding NGOs to shut down cross-border political movements, to the Hate Lab in Cardiff feeding real-time speech data to UK police, Benz reveals how censorship has become industrialised — and how Elon Musk’s takeover of Twitter briefly broke the system. We also discuss the Biden administration’s role, the UK’s crackdown on comedians and dissidents, and the disturbing reality of AI censorship ‘Death Stars’ designed to silence debate on elections, COVID, climate, and more.A deep dive into the machinery of modern censorship — and what it means for the future of free speech in the West.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To see more exclusive content and interviews consider subscribing to my substack here: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters 00:00 Introduction01:32 What Is the Censorship Industrial Complex?06:10 How the Government Outsources Censorship to NGOs11:45 The EU’s Role in Exporting Censorship to the US17:30 AI-Powered Censorship & The Death of Free Speech22:05 Twitter Files & the Exposure of Government Pressure28:40 How “Trust & Safety” Became a Weapon35:15 The Role of the National Security State41:10 Elon Musk vs The Censorship Machine47:35 How the Online Safety Bill Extends UK Censorship53:20 The Global Coordination of Digital Repression1:00:45 How NGOs Control the Narrative Across Borders1:07:12 Mike Benz’s Plan to Dismantle the Censorship Network1:12:40 Final Thoughts & A Warning for the West Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Sep 1h 13min

In this episode of The Winston Marshall Show, I sat down with journalist, author, and host of The Brink, Jake Wallis Simons, to unpack the latest in the Israel–Hamas war, the UN’s controversial genocide report, and Britain’s recognition of a Palestinian state.We examine what Keir Starmer’s decision really means — and why Hamas itself has called it the “fruits of October 7.” Jake explains how the propaganda war has been waged from 1947 to today, why the UN has long been biased against Israel, and how famine and aid are manipulated as weapons in the conflict.We also discuss Jake’s new book Never Again: How the West Betrayed the Jews and Itself, where he argues that anti-Semitism is a symptom of the West’s civilizational decline, from centrist fundamentalism to the rise of radical ideologies.A wide-ranging conversation on Israel, Gaza, the UN, Western weakness, and whether we can restore our lost values.Check out Jake’s new podcast The Brink: https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrink_PodcastPre-order Jake’s new book here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Never-Again-West-Betrayed-Itself/dp/0349000433-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Watch the extended conversation here: https://open.substack.com/pub/winstonmarshall/p/the-hamas-hoax-that-fooled-the-west?r=18lfab&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters 0:00 Recognition of Palestinian State and UN Report on Genocide3:28 Discussion on the Israel-Hamas Conflict and Keir Starmer's Recognition of Palestine 7:05 Starmer's Condemnation of Hamas and the Pay-for-Slay Fund9:09 Clarification on Starmer's Recognition and the Pay-for-Slay Fund16:53 The UN Genocide Report and Its Credibility38:52The Propaganda War and Hamas's Strategy42:20 The Muslim Brotherhood and Its Influence in Gaza 48:57 The Aid Situation in Gaza and the Role of the UN and Israel 1:06:01 The Ceasefire and the Hostages1:11:24 Britain's Recognition of Palestine and Its Implications 1:14:04 Starmer's Moral Clarity and Family Ties1:15:22 The Moral Complexities of War1:17:32 Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

27 Sep 1h 19min

Journalist Michael Tracey joins The Winston Marshall Show for an uncompromising deep-dive into the murky world of Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and the web of conspiracies surrounding their crimes.Tracey separates fact from fiction — breaking down Epstein’s 2008 plea deal, the failures of federal prosecutors, and the dubious credibility of key accusers like Virginia Giuffre. He exposes how much of the “Epstein mythology” has been built on shaky claims, media sensationalism, and opportunistic lawyers, while real questions remain about Epstein’s finances, intelligence links, and the powerful figures in his orbit.They discuss Prince Andrew, Alan Dershowitz, the infamous “Little Black Book,” and the Miami Herald investigation that reignited the scandal. Tracey also examines the suspicious circumstances of Giuffre’s recent death, her fortune from settlements, and the ongoing disputes over her estate.All this — Epstein’s crimes, Maxwell’s role, the credibility crisis of accusers, media distortion, and the conspiracies that refuse to die…-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To see more exclusive content and interviews consider subscribing to my substack here: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters 00:00 Michael Tracy's Role and Epstein's Legal Plea04:51 Government Designated Victims and Legal Challenges09:17 Prince Andrew and Virginia Roberts Giuffre's Claims 10:13 The Credibility of Virginia Roberts Giuffre18:15 Media, Interviews, and Public Perception21:02 Giuffre’s Death and Financial Settlements 26:47 The Questions Around Giuffre’s Death 29:39 Epstein’s Crimes and Victim Testimonies39:21 The “Little Black Book” and Its Impact 44:50 Epstein's Death and Conspiracy Theories46:00 Epstein's Property Portfolio and Associations46:21 Steve Bannon and Epstein's Interviews1:00:45 Epstein's Business Activities and Ghislaine Maxwell's Testimony1:11:08 Epstein's Financial Dealings and Clientele1:18:24 Trump's Relationship with Epstein and Media Coverage1:21:54 Epstein's Wealth and Assets1:24:18 Epstein's International Business and Multiple Passports1:38:13 Media Coverage and Public Perception Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 Sep 1h 48min

Journalist and author Batya Ungar-Sargon joins The Winston Marshall Show for a hard-hitting conversation on Trump’s second term, America’s working class, and the fight to rebuild the middle of the country.Ungar-Sargon breaks down Trump’s economic revolution — from tariffs and immigration controls to reindustrialisation and the push to restore American manufacturing. She explains how these policies are shifting the balance of power away from the elites and back towards ordinary workers, while corporate media and political insiders try to discredit them.They discuss the fentanyl crisis, China’s role in hollowing out American industry, and why Trump’s fight over tariffs in the Supreme Court could redefine U.S. economic sovereignty. Batya warns that without bold changes, the American dream risks collapsing for an entire generation.All this — tariffs, Trump’s revolution, the fentanyl epidemic, immigration, and the battle to save America’s working class…-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To see more exclusive content and interviews consider subscribing to my substack here: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters0:00 Introduction 02:21 Trump’s Second Term And His Tariffs 04:58 Economic Elites' Predictions vs. Reality06:32 Trump's Multifaceted Goals with Tariffs 11:40 Impact of Tariffs on Illegal Immigration and Wages12:36 Reindustrialization and Economic Policy 49:14 AI and Robotics in the Workforce 53:08 Intel and State Ownership55:54 Musk and the MAGA Right Divergence1:00:45 Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

20 Sep 1h 2min

Investigative journalist Andy Ngo joins The Winston Marshall Show for a harrowing conversation on the murder of Charlie Kirk, political violence, and the media’s complicity in misreporting to fit their agenda. Andy explains how far-left extremist networks celebrated the assassination, how narratives were laundered to downplay the killing, and why America is entering a dangerous new phase where political violence is normalised. Drawing on his years investigating Antifa, Ngo lays out the connections between online subcultures, extremist ideology, and the growing climate of hate.We discuss Portland as ground zero, the role of sympathetic journalists in shielding extremists, and the chilling rise of assassination culture in U.S. politics. Andy warns that unless exposed, these networks will keep eroding trust and silencing dissent through fear.All this— Antifa’s evolution, media distortion, and the dangerous new normal of America’s culture war on the streets…-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To watch the extended and ad-free interview consider subscribing to my substack here: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapter 00:00 Introduction 01:25 What Is Antifa, Really?02:21 Details of the Shooting and Suspect's Background 05:26 Suspect's Motivations and Online Activity 11:04 Media's Role in Spreading Lies 22:13 Charlie Kirk's Threats and Far-Left Violence 32:32 Left-Wing Violence 39:00 Journalism Under Siege42:00 The Spread of Antifa Tactics45:15 When Anarchy Replaces the State1:01:50 State Capture & the Two-Tier System1:23:49 The Impact of Charlie Kirk's Assassination 1:27:31 Final Thoughts Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Sep 1h 27min

Author Rob Henderson joins The Winston Marshall Show to dissect America’s deepening political divide.From the shocking murder of Charlie Kirk to the refusal of Democrats in Congress to honor his death, Henderson explores how anger has tipped into hatred — fueling a climate where political violence is no longer unthinkable. He distinguishes between anger as bargaining, and hatred as wishing opponents didn’t exist, warning of a dangerous escalation.Drawing on his work in psychology, Henderson explains the “dark triad” — narcissism, Machiavellianism, and psychopathy — and how social media rewards these traits, amplifying extremism online. He considers how the lack of a common enemy after the Cold War and 9/11 has turned Americans inward, seeing each other as the threat.From immigration battles and “luxury beliefs” among elites, to the gender divide in politics, marriage, and the rise of anti-natalist ideology — Henderson maps out how cultural and psychological fault lines are remaking American life.Can the US pull back from the brink of hatred-fueled politics?-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To see more exclusive content and interviews consider subscribing to my substack here: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters 0:00 Introduction 1:53 Political Division and Emotional Dynamics 14:04 Historical Context and Social Media's Role 16:35 Dark Triad Traits and Political Violence 27:54 Gender Divide and Political Preferences 41:09 Immigration and Elite Ideologies 54:03 Downward Mobility and Radical Politics 59:36 Education and Historical Amnesia 1:11:54 Final Thoughts and Future Outlook Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

13 Sep 1h 14min

Author, comedian, and economic commentator Dominic Frisby joins The Winston Marshall Show for a sweeping conversation on money, empire, and the collapse of the postwar consensus.Frisby, whose viral songs made him an unlikely folk hero, turns here to the themes of his new book The Secret History of Gold. He explains why money is the “blood of society,” how Nixon’s 1971 decision to abandon the gold standard set the stage for endless inflation, and why fiat money is driving inequality, debt, and the anger fuelling populist revolts from Trump’s Rust Belt to Javier Milei in ArgentinaThey trace the story back to Bretton Woods, Roosevelt’s gold confiscation, and the technocrats who used paper money to expand the modern state. Frisby warns that today’s bloated governments, trapped in debt and endless money-printing. But can gold or Bitcoin restore trust and prosperity?All this—the golden age of Britain, the fiat fraud of the 20th century, Javier Milei’s revolution, and why fixing money is the key to fixing the West…-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To see more exclusive content and interviews consider subscribing to my substack here: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters 0:00 Dominic Frisbee's Introduction and Background 3:12 The Role of Money in Society7:12 Historical Context of Money Systems 11:59 The Impact of the New Deal and World Wars 16:10 The Role of Austrian Economists and Neoliberalism 29:03 The Globalisation Debate35:41 The Success of Javier Milei in Argentina44:20 The Role of Cryptocurrencies and Bitcoin1:01:14 The Success of Trump's Tariffs 1:06:54 Lincoln's Revenue Protection and the American Civil War 1:10:28 The Role of Prohibition and Income Tax 1:13:41 Critique of Income Tax and Wealth Inequality1:19:52 The Pursuit of Wealth and Higher Goals1:20:42 Conclusion and Future Discussion Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Sep 1h 23min

Greg Lukianoff, president of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, joins The Winston Marshall Show for a sweeping conversation on free speech, censorship, and the dangers of state overreach.Lukianoff warns that Britain is sliding into authoritarianism with the Online Safety Act, the arrest of comedian Graham Linehan for “offensive tweets,” and thousands of citizens detained each year for speech crimes. He explains why Americans should be alarmed—not only because of cultural ties, but because UK and EU laws like the Digital Services Act now risk exporting censorship to the United States.They discuss the chilling effect of “non-crime hate incidents,” the hypocrisy of politicians who ignore Islamist extremism while cracking down on online speech, and why Big Tech is tripping over itself to appease Brussels bureaucrats. Lukianoff contrasts this with the Trump administration’s free speech battles on university campuses, where anti-Semitism and harassment rationales are being used to justify speech codes.They also dive into the deeper history—Lenin, Marx, communism, and why the West never reckoned with the crimes of socialism—leaving us vulnerable to a new wave of ideological totalitarianism.All this—Britain’s speech crisis, EU overreach, Trump and the universities, and the global struggle to preserve freedom of expression in the 21st century…-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------To see more exclusive content and interviews consider subscribing to my substack here: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------FOLLOW ME ON SOCIAL MEDIA:Substack: https://www.winstonmarshall.co.uk/X: https://twitter.com/mrwinmarshallInsta: https://www.instagram.com/winstonmarshallLinktree: https://linktr.ee/winstonmarshall----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Chapters 00:00 - Introduction & Guest Welcome 02:49 - Graham Linehan’s Arrest and Free Speech in the UK 05:08 - Arrests for Offensive Speech in the UK 07:34 - Non-Crime Hate Incidents and Social Attitudes 10:03 - Malcolm Gladwell, Trans Issues, and Chilling Effects 14:03 - The Online Safety Act and Censorship of Americans 17:04 - Why Americans Care About British Free Speech 19:14 - The EU Digital Services Act and Global Censorship 22:20 - Protecting Children Online: Policy and Parental Controls 28:41 - Free Speech in America: Trump, Wokeism, and Ideology 32:31 - Communism, Fascism, and Totalitarianism: Historical Parallels 36:30 - Reckoning with Socialism and Communism 39:30 - Karl Popper, Tolerance, and Hate Speech Laws 42:30 - Trump Administration, Campus Speech Codes, and Harassment 45:32 - Political Correctness and Speech Codes in Higher Ed 51:02 - Harvard, Civil Rights Act, and Federal Oversight 55:56 - The Right Way to Reform University Funding 58:52 - Free Speech for Pro-Palestinian Students and Deportation 1:10:19 - Why Harvard Ranks Lowest for Free Speech 1:13:21 - FIRE’s New Books and Campus Free Speech Rankings 1:13:56 - Closing Remarks Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Sep 1h 15min