Murder the Truth

New York Times Bestseller"e;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 ofStrongmenDavid Enrich, theNew York TimesBusiness Investigations Editor and the #1 bestselling author ofDark Towers, produces his most consequential and far-reaching investigation yet: an in-depth expos of the broad campaignorchestrated by elite Americansto 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 Timesv. Sullivan decision. Though hardly a household name, Sullivanis one of the most consequential free speech decisions, ever. Fundamental to the creation of the modern media as we know it,ithas enabled journalists and writers all over the countryfrom top national publications to revered local newspapers to independent bloggersto pursue the truth aggressively and hold the wealthy, powerful, and corrupt to account.Thomass words were a warningthe 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 worlds 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 TimesBusiness Investigations Editor, traces the roots and reach of this growing threat to our modern democracy. With Trumps 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 Trumpthe way its used by those who have it and the lengths to which they will go to avoid it being questioned.