by David Enrich
First published 2025
David Enrich exposes a coordinated assault on American press freedom that begins with Justice Clarence Thomas questioning the foundational New York Times v. Sullivan ruling. The New York Times Business Investigations Editor reveals how elite Americans have imported authoritarian tactics to silence journalists and critics. Enrich traces this movement from conservative fringe theory to mainstream Republican strategy, documenting how wealthy businessmen, politicians, and activists now weaponize lawsuits to intimidate reporters. The campaign spans from Florida's statehouse to New Hampshire towns to Trump's White House, uniting some of the world's most powerful figures who believe they deserve immunity from scrutiny. Enrich demonstrates how these forces systematically target anyone who dares challenge their authority, using legal threats to protect corruption and disinformation. The book reveals the stakes of this battle for democratic accountability in Trump's America.
Genres: american, political-science, non-fiction, 21st-century, journalism, political-thriller
Vibes: suspenseful, thought-provoking
Tropes: corruption, investigative-journalism, political-conspiracy
Setting: America, Florida, New Hampshire, Trump's White House
Period: Trump Era
336 pages · Hardcover · Mariner Books