Fox News contributor Kat Timpf, in her new book You Can’t Joke About That: Why Everything Is Funny, Nothing Is Sacred, and We’re All in This Together, makes a compelling argument for humor as a tool for healing and free speech as an inviolable principle.

Timpf, who has worked at National Review, Barstool Sports, and now regularly appears on Gutfeld!, America’s top late-night show, passionately defends the right to joke about sensitive topics. In a recent interview with Reason’s Nick Gillespie, she discusses her personal journey, humor’s healing power, and her views on the state of free speech in America.

Free Speech: The Ultimate Right

Timpf argues that free speech is fundamental to the American identity. “If that’s not your principle, then inherently you’re saying someone else should decide what you can and cannot say,” she explains. The real danger, she adds, lies in allowing the government or anyone else to control speech.

Timpf highlights how people who advocate for speech restrictions often contradict themselves. She points out how many people who called for hate speech laws during the Trump presidency also criticized him as “literally Hitler.” “How can you support a government controlling speech while simultaneously fearing it?” she questions. Timpf believes this shows the dangerous contradictions in the desire to silence speech that is deemed controversial.

Humor as a Coping Mechanism

Timpf’s stance on humor is equally strong. In her book, she explores how humor can help individuals and society cope with difficult and sensitive topics. She draws from personal experience, including the sudden death of her mother from a rare disease. Timpf notes how her mother even joked about her own death while she was dying. “Joking about it was helpful,” Timpf recalls. “I didn’t want to hide from the pain; humor allowed me to process it.”

Her approach to grief is a radical one in today’s world, where emotional decorum often stifles open expression. Timpf discusses how she posted a picture of her laundry basket on Instagram after her mother’s death, with a blunt caption: “Mom’s dead. Going to do some laundry.” While some criticized her for the post, Timpf sees it as a genuine reflection of her reality, not something to hide behind false decorum.

She challenges the idea that humor should be censored, pointing out how society often treats grief and tragedy as untouchable subjects. “People want to protect you from certain truths, but sometimes the truth is what helps you heal,” she asserts. Timpf encourages others to embrace humor in the face of tragedy rather than being bogged down by the emotional weight of these moments.

Cancel Culture and the Limits of Speech

Throughout her career, Timpf has been a target of online abuse, often receiving crude and hateful messages. She points out the irony of receiving disgusting comments from men who often present themselves as respectable family men. But she uses these experiences to highlight the absurdity of wanting to police speech.

Timpf’s criticism of cancel culture is sharp and pointed. She’s particularly critical of the response to Kathy Griffin’s infamous photo with a mock severed head of Donald Trump. Timpf believes Griffin’s stunt was a poor decision, but it was a form of protected speech nonetheless. “To say it shouldn’t be protected speech is a dangerous stance,” Timpf argues. She further critiques the mainstream push to prosecute certain forms of speech that are deemed offensive, reinforcing that freedom of expression, even when distasteful, is essential in a free society.

Timpf also discusses how social media amplifies moral grandstanding, with posts that focus on moral outrage often garnering more attention than nuanced discussion. “If you had a friend who only talked like that, you wouldn’t want to hang out with them,” she says. But on social media, such behavior is rewarded, which distorts public discourse and creates an environment where people feel pressured to be morally virtuous rather than intellectually honest.

Roseanne Barr and Redemption in Comedy

Timpf also tackles the controversy surrounding Roseanne Barr, who was fired after posting a racist tweet about a Barack Obama adviser. She points out the dangers of using platforms like Twitter to express controversial thoughts. “Twitter is never worth it,” Timpf says, acknowledging that while people might gain the dopamine rush of attention, it can also cost them their careers.

Timpf also highlights Sarah Silverman’s comments on redemption, discussing how people on both the left and the right are too quick to cancel others rather than allowing them to learn and change. “What’s the point of being a progressive if you can’t allow for progress?” Silverman asked, echoing Timpf’s belief that people should be allowed to grow and learn from their mistakes.

Tribalism and the Fear of Cancellation

Tribalism plays a significant role in cancel culture, according to Timpf. “People are afraid of being canceled,” she explains. Social media has created a culture where people are eager to demonstrate their loyalty to their political tribe by tearing down others. This tribal mentality often leads to groupthink and a lack of intellectual diversity. Timpf argues that this is harmful, as it stifles real debate and forces people to conform to a specific narrative.

Social media exacerbates the problem, making it easier for people to engage in moral grandstanding and attacking others without facing real-world consequences. Timpf believes this dynamic makes social media a toxic space for genuine dialogue, where people feel pressured to conform rather than engage in meaningful conversations.

Libertarian Views in a Conservative World

Timpf’s libertarian philosophy is another key part of her identity, especially as she works at Fox News, a network typically associated with conservative viewpoints. “I’m not conservative; I’m libertarian,” she clarifies. Timpf has consistently maintained her libertarian beliefs, unapologetically advocating for free markets, individual rights, and limited government intervention.

She notes the peculiar tension of being a libertarian at Fox, especially when the network’s conservative hosts often clash with her more nuanced views. For example, she disagrees with the outrage over government spending on transgender prisoners, arguing that the real issue is the unnecessary criminalization of nonviolent offenders in the first place.

The Evolution of Women in Comedy

Timpf reflects on the challenges women in comedy faced in the past, referencing the struggles of iconic comedian Joan Rivers. She praises Rivers for breaking barriers in a time when women comedians were judged more harshly. Timpf believes that while sexism still exists, the conversation about it often focuses too much on the obstacles rather than on the success of women who push through those barriers. “The ultimate goal is to be respected as a human being,” she says, emphasizing that women in comedy should focus on what they can do, rather than what society expects of them.

A Libertarian’s Perspective on Social Media

Timpf concludes by discussing the shifting political landscape and how social media amplifies division. “Everyone’s so ready to pounce,” she observes. “Tribalism and fear make us afraid to speak freely.” This, she believes, contributes to the rise of cancel culture and the increasing difficulty of holding productive, honest discussions.

Her libertarian perspective on social media reflects her commitment to free speech and individual rights. For Timpf, the key is not to silence others, but to promote freedom of expression, even when that means uncomfortable or controversial speech.

Final Thoughts

Kat Timpf’s book You Can’t Joke About That offers a refreshing defense of free speech and humor, calling out the dangers of censorship and cancel culture. Her insights into the importance of humor as a coping mechanism, her criticism of modern social media dynamics, and her unwavering commitment to her libertarian beliefs make her a unique and important voice in today’s political and cultural landscape. Whether you agree or disagree with her, Timpf’s call for more open dialogue and less censorship is a message that’s sure to resonate in an increasingly polarized world.