Concerns about authoritarianism are growing in both Europe and North America. Many American progressives, including celebrities and academics, are reportedly relocating to countries like the United Kingdom, Ireland, and Canada in search of a more liberated society. During her campaign, Vice President Kamala Harris labeled former President Donald Trump as a “president of the United States who admires dictators and is a fascist.” While some of Trump's behavior may evoke comparisons to historical figures like Benito Mussolini, critics argue that the erosion of free speech is more pronounced among progressive circles than within Trump’s base.

Prominent defenders of democracy, such as Anne Applebaum and Timothy Snyder, have focused their critiques primarily on Trump and the nationalist right. However, they seem to overlook a rising trend of authoritarianism among established political parties in Europe and North America. In countries like Germany, Romania, and France, mainstream parties have actively worked to marginalize populist candidates. In the U.S., efforts were made by progressives to prevent Trump from running for office, although these attempts were ultimately unsuccessful.

In the United Kingdom, under the leadership of Keir Starmer, there are strict speech codes that can lead to imprisonment for violations. Critics have raised concerns about a dual system of law enforcement that treats native citizens and newcomers differently. The potential introduction of a legal definition of “Islamophobia” has also sparked debate, particularly as antisemitism continues to rise.

Ireland has seen a surge in anti-Israel sentiments, with officials advocating for censorship of online speech, particularly on U.S.-based platforms. This has drawn criticism from U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Canada, under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has faced scrutiny for attempting to pass an online harms bill perceived as overly restrictive. Although this legislation has not yet been enacted, Trudeau's government has been accused of infringing on basic rights during the COVID-19 pandemic and suppressing dissent during the trucker protests.

In many Western nations, censorship is increasingly prevalent, particularly in academic settings that were once known for open discourse. California is considering legislation that would monitor and regulate speech on digital platforms, raising alarms about potential overreach. The roots of this so-called “woke” authoritarianism are often traced back to the Obama-Biden administration, which some argue fostered a partnership between tech companies and government agencies to control online discourse.

Jacob Siegel, an author, highlighted this collaboration, stating, “They want a censorship regime characteristic of a corporate state. Everything has to be approved by the state, and that is now the progressive handbook.” In the lead-up to the 2020 election, there were allegations of collusion between the Democratic Party and intelligence agencies to protect then-candidate Joe Biden from negative press related to the Hunter Biden laptop controversy, labeling such reports as “Russian disinformation.” This included actions taken by social media platforms to suppress stories from established news outlets, further fueling concerns about the state of free speech in contemporary society.