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Kara Swisher on Pete Buttigieg's Swatting Story: "This is the Fear"

June 30, 2026 / 01:30

This episode discusses the fabricated police report against Pete Buttigieg's family, the implications of anonymous online behavior, and accountability issues. Key topics include the fear faced by gay parents and the consequences of misinformation.

Host addresses the alarming situation where police investigated Buttigieg's family after an anonymous tip claimed his children were at risk. The Michigan State Police later confirmed the report was false, highlighting the stress this caused for the family.

The conversation shifts to the broader issue of accountability in online platforms. The host criticizes the lack of consequences for those who misuse anonymity to harm others, emphasizing that the real problem lies in accountability rather than free speech.

There is a strong condemnation of the behavior directed towards Buttigieg's family, with a call for accountability for those who spread false information. The host expresses hope that the perpetrator faces consequences for their actions.

TLDR

Pete Buttigieg's family faced a false police report, raising issues of online accountability and the fear of gay parents.

Episode

1:30

00:00:00

I want to talk about a story that came out over the weekend about Pete Buddha Judge's family. Buddha Judge says police

00:00:04

showed up at his house after an anonymous tip claimed his four-year-old twins were at risk. CPS investigated the

00:00:09

claim and the Michigan State Police later confirmed the report was completely fabricated. This was

00:00:14

terrifying to someone like myself. This is the fear they have as gay parents and

00:00:19

something I've discussed with them. This is the fear. They are wonderful parents

00:00:22

and these kids are lovely. For them to have to go through this just sent a chill.

00:00:27

>> This is really upsetting. But the bigger issue is the following. That same architecture, anonymous,

00:00:32

consequence-free, u infinitely scalable uh online platforms. They let bots flood

00:00:39

elections, radicalize millions, and make public service a target sport. The bottom line is this is where the right

00:00:45

gets it wrong and the left gets it wrong. The internet doesn't have a speech problem. It has an accountability

00:00:50

problem. And our fetishization for free speech and anonymity has resulted in a total lack of accountability. If you

00:00:58

believe the kids across the street are being abused and child protective services shows up and they find out, oh,

00:01:05

you misunderstood the situation, you're still not liable. You didn't do anything

00:01:08

wrong. But if it finds out you're just a homophobic [ __ ] weirdo, there's consequences.

00:01:13

>> There should be consequences. This is disgusting. And this is not how you behave towards people who are decent,

00:01:19

great parents. And uh whoever did this, I hope they find you and I hope you have

00:01:23

some sort of reckoning.

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Episode Highlights

The Fear of Being a Parent
Buddha Judge shares the terror of a false report about his children.
“This was terrifying to someone like myself.”
@ 00m 14s
June 30, 2026
Accountability in the Digital Age
The speaker critiques the lack of accountability online, affecting real lives.
“The internet doesn't have a speech problem. It has an accountability problem.”
@ 00m 46s
June 30, 2026

Episode Quotes

This was terrifying to someone like myself.
Kara Swisher on Pete Buttigieg's Swatting Story: "This is the Fear"
There should be consequences. This is disgusting.
Kara Swisher on Pete Buttigieg's Swatting Story: "This is the Fear"

Key Moments

Terrifying Report00:14
Accountability Crisis00:46
Call for Consequences01:13