Episode 963: The Landmark Social Media Addiction Case in California

Newt talks with attorneys Joseph VanZandt of the Beasley Allen Law Firm, and Mark Lanier of The Lanier Law Firm about the landmark case in California where Meta and YouTube were deemed liable for addiction-related harm to children and young adults. They represented the plaintiff in the case, known as K.G.M. The case was initiated after former Facebook whistleblower Frances Haugen leaked internal documents showing that Meta was aware of the harms its platforms were causing to young users, but prioritized growth over user safety. The case was structured as individual lawsuits rather than a class action, with the judge selecting 9 bellwether cases to go to trial. The K.G.M. case was the first one selected. The key evidence used in the case was internal documents and depositions from current and former employees of the tech companies, which showed intentional efforts to design addictive features targeting children. The lawyers argued that the tech companies' actions constituted addiction, drawing parallels to the tobacco industry, and presented expert testimony to establish the clinical criteria for addiction. The verdict found Meta and YouTube liable, marking a significant legal precedent in holding social media platforms accountable for the harms caused by their products. The lawyers expressed concerns about the ongoing lobbying efforts by the tech companies to prevent further lawsuits through legislative means, highlighting the need for greater transparency and regulation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Wynton Hall, the director of social media at Breitbart News about his new book, "Code Red: The Left, the Right, China, and the Race to Control AI." Hall describes AI as a defining national security challenge, emphasizing its dual role as a tool and a form of political power, particularly in the context of AI warfare and the race against China. Their conversation highlights the importance of AI in military applications, including cybersecurity and battlefield dominance, and the need for increased investment in AI-related government spending. Hall also discusses the democratization of AI, which could empower mid-level countries and non-state actors, potentially leading to both positive and negative outcomes. Their discussion touches on the challenges of autonomous weapons and the ethical considerations surrounding their use. They explore the broader implications of AI on society, including job displacement and the potential for AI to create new opportunities and challenges.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Bob Crawford, Grammy-nominated bassist for The Avett Brothers, and author of, “America’s Founding Son: John Quincy Adams, from President to Political Maverick.” They discuss the life and legacy of John Quincy Adams, emphasizing his role as a statesman whose career spanned diplomacy, the presidency, and 17 years in Congress after leaving the White House. They highlight his upbringing in the extraordinary Adams family, including the intellectual influence of his mother Abigail Adams and his early witness to the Battle of Bunker Hill. They discuss his achievements as a leading diplomat and Secretary of State, his controversial one-term presidency marked by the “corrupt bargain” election of 1824 and fierce populist opposition from Andrew Jackson, and his later transformation into a congressional maverick who defied his party and the pro-slavery bloc. They also discuss his Supreme Court victory in the Amistad case, where he secured freedom for enslaved Africans by appealing to due process and the principles of the Declaration of Independence, a moment portrayed as his personal and public redemption. His lifelong habit of keeping a massive diary—about 14,000 pages from youth to age 80—now digitized and publicly accessible, is presented as an invaluable resource for understanding early American politics and his personal life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Michael Faulkender, Co-Chair of American Prosperity at the America First Policy Institute, about the Supreme Court ruling that limits President Trump's ability to impose tariffs under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act, emphasizing that tariff authority primarily resides with Congress. This decision impacts the President's flexibility in using tariffs for economic and national security purposes, although other legislative provisions still allow for some presidential tariff authority. Additionally, their conversation explores the challenges of housing affordability, noting that the median age of first-time homebuyers has risen to 40 years old. Factors contributing to this include increased housing costs, higher interest rates, and regulatory burdens. The America First Policy Institute is working on solutions to address these issues, focusing on reducing regulatory costs and increasing housing supply.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Congressman Bryan Steil, (WI – 1st) Chairman of the Committee on House Administration about the Stop Insider Trading Act. The Act is aimed at prohibiting members of Congress and their families from trading individual stocks to prevent conflicts of interest and personal profit. The Act has garnered significant public support, with 86% of Americans favoring the ban. Despite challenges in scheduling the bill for a vote, there is optimism about its passage due to bipartisan backing and President Trump's endorsement. Additionally, they discuss the SAVE America Act, which seeks to enhance election integrity by requiring voter ID and ensuring only U.S. citizens vote. They also cover the Withhold Members Pay During Shutdown Act, which proposes that members of Congress should not receive a paycheck during government shutdowns, aligning their experiences with those of federal employees. Newt concludes with a new segment addressing listener’s questions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Dr. William LeoGrande, a non-resident fellow at the Quincy Institute and Associate Vice-Provost for Academic Affairs, Professor of Government, and Dean Emeritus of the School of Public Affairs at American University in Washington, D.C. They discuss the foreign policy strategies of President Trump, including actions in Venezuela, Ukraine, and Iran, and the challenges faced by the United States in maintaining dominance in the Western Hemisphere. Dr. LeoGrande provides insights into Cuba's historical and current socio-political landscape, emphasizing the impact of the Cuban Revolution and subsequent U.S. – Cuba relations. They also discuss the geopolitical influence of Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor, and his impact on Latin American policy, particularly regarding Cuba and Venezuela. The episode concludes with a new segment addressing listener’s questions on topics such as the Strait of Hormuz and the SAVE Act.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Jack Salmon, Gibbs Scholar and Research Fellow at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University. They discuss the introduction of wealth taxes in several U.S. states, including California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York, and Washington, which are targeting high net worth individuals. This has led to a migration of wealthy individuals to states with no such taxes, like Florida and Texas. Washington State, which previously had no income tax, has introduced a 9.9% tax on income over a million dollars, contributing to a significant exodus of high earners, including notable figures like Jeff Bezos. Their discussion highlights the economic consequences of such tax policies, including the loss of tax revenue and potential negative impacts on local economies. The also discuss the importance of fiscal responsibility at the state level and the need for states to prepare for potential federal funding reductions based on the increasing national debt.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Michael Horowitz, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations and Richard Perry Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. They discuss the AI company Anthropic and its model, Claude Gov, which is the first AI model used on classified systems. A recent meeting between Secretary Hegseth and Anthropic's CEO Dario Amodei at the Pentagon failed to reach an agreement on assurances against the use of the model for surveillance or autonomous weapons, leading Anthropic to sue the Department of Defense over being labeled a supply chain risk. Horowitz discusses the slow adoption of AI in the military, attributing it to the U.S. military's historical reluctance to change due to its current superiority. He outlines three AI applications in the military: logistics, intelligence surveillance, and autonomous weapon systems, emphasizing the potential for AI to transform warfare. They also discuss OpenAI working with the military. Horowitz sees AI as an inevitable part of military evolution, comparable to past technological revolutions like electricity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Professor Steve Tsang, Director of the SOAS China Institute, about the global impact of the ongoing conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, with a focus on China's perspective. Tsang discusses China's strategic interests in the Middle East, highlighting the region's importance for energy security and its role in China's global strategy under Xi Jinping's leadership. Xi Jinping's ambitions for China are highlighted, including his vision for Chinese global preeminence by 2049, which aligns with the 100th anniversary of the People's Republic of China. The strategic dynamics in the Middle East, particularly regarding Iran's role and the potential consequences of U.S. actions in the region are evaluated. They discuss the U.S. military focus on Iran and the Persian Gulf and whether the U.S. engagement will tip the balance of power around Taiwan, considering China's military readiness and strategic calculations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Newt talks with Seth Keshel, a former Army Captain of Military Intelligence, about his new book, "The American War on Election Corruption," which addresses the need for election reform in the United States. With Keshel's expertise in studying voter registration trends he makes a compelling argument for why restoring election integrity in needed. He highlights issues such as automatic voter registration and mail-in voting as significant factors in election rigging. Keshel argues that these practices have been used to manipulate election outcomes, particularly in battleground states. He advocates for election reforms that would improve the voting process. Keshel's work is featured in a newsletter on Substack, Captain K's Corner, which provides ongoing analysis and insights into political and election-related issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.