Murder the Truth

Fear, the First Amendment, and a Secret Campaign to Protect the Powerful

By: David Enrich

Narrated by: Michael David Axtell

New York Times Bestseller

""Authoritarian governments abroad have long used legal threats and lawsuits against journalists to cover up their disinformation, corruption, and violence. Now, as master investigative journalist David Enrich reveals, those tactics have arrived in America.” — Ruth Ben-Ghiat, author of Strongmen

David Enrich, the New York Times Business Investigations Editor and the #1 bestselling author of Dark Towers, produces his most consequential and far-reaching investigation yet: an in-depth exposé of the broad campaign—orchestrated by elite Americans—to silence dissent and protect the powerful.

It was a quiet way to announce a revolution: In an obscure 2019 case that the Supreme Court refused to even hear, Justice Clarence Thomas raised the prospect of overturning the legendary New York Times v. Sullivan decision. Though hardly a household name, Sullivan is one of the most consequential free speech decisions, ever. Fundamental to the creation of the modern media as we know it, it has enabled journalists and writers all over the country—from top national publications to revered local newspapers to independent bloggers—to pursue the truth aggressively and hold the wealthy, powerful, and corrupt to account.

Thomas’s words were a warning—the public awakening of an idea that had been fomenting on the conservative fringe for years. Now it is going mainstream. From the Florida statehouse to small town New Hampshire to Donald Trump's White House, this movement today consists of some of the world’s richest and most powerful people and companies, who believe they should be above scrutiny and want to silence or delegitimize voices that challenge their supremacy. Indeed, many of the same businessmen, politicians, lawyers, and activists are already weaponizing the legal system to intimidate and punish journalists and others who dare criticize them.

In this masterwork of investigative reporting, David Enrich, New York Times Business Investigations Editor, traces the roots and reach of this growing threat to our modern democracy. With Trump’s emboldened right-wing coalition committed to demonizing and punishing those who attempt to hold them accountable, Murder the Truth sounds the alarm about the looming war over facts, laying bare the stakes of losing our most sacrosanct rights. The result is a story about power in the age of Trump—the way it’s used by those who have it and the lengths to which they will go to avoid it being questioned.

Well, done

Excellent presentation of the fascinating topic. Very timely topic that is well written. Good job!

Concisely written

It was an excellent book and very informative. The author did a great job in explaining the cases

The truth

I appreciate the research that went into this publication. The outline was easy to follow and appreciated what was outlined in thus book

A thorough explanation of the hypocrisy exercised by those in power when faced with consequences.

Well explained details of several prominent cases, but could have used more examples to illustrate how broad and dangerous these fights against legitimate journalism are becoming.

The current threat against journalists

Every U.S. citizen should understand how important free speech protections are in a democracy like ours. David Enrich goes deep into recent efforts to curb our free expression. Murder The Truth is a very big caution sign for all who value the liberty we rake for granted.