Freedom of speech is defined as the right to express any opinion without censorship or restraint. The right to be able to express one’s opinion about a public figure or situation in the spotlight is one that is cherished by Americans; however, when does a public figure go to far? A prime example of pushing the limits of this freedom is the presidential candidate, Donald Trump. He has been headlining news stories in the past weeks for all of his controversial comments. Many of his comments have sparked debates over the extents of the First Amendment, and if the government should put any restrictions on the forms of freedom of speech. While many Americans are wary of what will happen i the presidential debates, most are looking forward to seeing just how far Trump can take political correctness.
It can be argued that taking away the ability to say whatever you want is a violation of human rights. Izze Rios ’18 says, “Donald Trump can go as far as he wants. He shouldn’t have to draw a line on freedom of speech, and the only place you have to draw a line is when you’re in a crowded room, you can’t cause mass panic.” Along the same lines, another popular opinion is that Donald Trump is one of the only presidential candidates who can speak his mind and make a change in our community by using his voice. An anonymous student said, “Donald Trump may have some controversial views, but he is going to get things done as our next president.” A large majority of Trump supporters believe that his honesty is refreshing and will serve him well if he is president.
While some may consider Donald Trump as bold, others are not so kind. It is a widely known fact that most of what Donald Trump says is controversial and is likely to offend more than a few people. Sydni Hopes ’19 candidly said, “Donald Trump is racist.” In light of Trump’s recent comments about women and immigration reform, many people would agree with Hopes that Donald Trump is racist and even sexist. Some might even go as far as to say that Trump’s comments are unconstitutional, making Americans uncomfortable. Serena Gutsche ’18 expresses, “Donald trump is unconstitutional because the constitution says we can pursue happiness, and Donald Trump makes me feel undervalued and uncomfortable.” When talking about how Donald Trump uses his freedom of speech wrong, people usually mention his comments about the Mexican immigrants in America, or the ones he recently made towards women. A popular example is Trump’s comment to Brande Roderick, in which he insinuated that a woman belongs on her knees rather than a boardroom, saying, “It must be a pretty picture, you dropping to your knees.”
The topic of freedom of speech and controversial comments or moves also brings to mind the recent lowering of the confederate flag in South Carolina. While some argue that the removal of the confederate flag is a direct violation of the First Amendment, others disagree, claiming that the flag represents a culture of racism. This is another example of why some Americans are in favor of having limitations to freedom of speech. An anonymous student comments, “Donald Trump is one of the prime examples of the misuse of the First Amendment. He uses the excuse of being able to say whatever he wants to express his discriminatory views.” Some say that allowing Donald Trump to express his views spreads a feeling of hate throughout America, and seeing an American political figure expressing hateful views can affect how other countries see the United States. Trump’s comments and views about Mexican immigrants and women are examples of Trump taking advantage of his First Amendment right, but that certainly doesn’t rid his comments of controversy.
As many people in America know, the discussion of Donald Trump and freedom of speech is a popular one that many people believe should be addressed before the Presidential voting in 2016. Many have very different opinions on the controversial topic of freedom of speech. Every political figure has different opinions of how Donald Trump should be handled, and if he even should be censored. With the presidential debates heating up, and Donald Trump’s opinions being publicized and listened to, people are all considering the controversial question: when is freedom of speech cross the line from cherished to taken advantage of?