Mike Benz | People | Source

Mike Benz is a former American diplomat and the current Executive Director of the Foundation for Freedom Online, a non-profit watchdog group focused on digital liberties and internet freedom.

Professional Career

• Foundation for Freedom Online: He founded and leads this organization, which critiques what he calls the "censorship-industrial complex"—a network of government agencies, NGOs, and tech companies he claims coordinate to suppress online speech.

• U.S. Department of State: During the Trump administration, he served as Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Communications and Information Technology, where he managed the "cyber portfolio" for U.S. foreign policy.

• White House: He previously worked as a speechwriter for President Donald Trump and as a policy aide to HUD Secretary Ben Carson.

• Legal Background: Before his government service, he was a corporate attorney in New York representing technology and financial firms.

Key Public Stances & Media Presence

• Censorship Advocacy: Benz is a prominent critic of the use of AI and third-party organizations to flag and remove social media content.

• Media Appearances: He has gained significant attention through long-form interviews on major platforms, including multiple appearances on The Joe Rogan Experience and interviews with Tucker Carlson and Shawn Ryan.

• Interference Claims: He frequently discusses the role of U.S. agencies like USAID and the CIA in foreign political movements, claiming they use "digital mercenaries" to influence outcomes in countries like Ukraine, Brazil, and Bangladesh.