On Saturday, Valuetainment founder and CEO Patrick Bet-David took the stage at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Washington DC, delivering a compelling speech about two fundamental fears of tyrants: an armed populace and freedom of speech. Through personal experiences and historical insights, he underscored the significance of these rights in maintaining a free society.
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If you didn’t catch PBD’s speech live from CPAC 2025, here’s what you missed!
The Fear of an Armed Population
Patrick recounted a striking conversation with Mohsen Sazegara, a former founder of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) in Iran. During that interview, Sazegara admitted that the first action taken after the Iranian Revolution in 1979 was to disarm the populace. The justification was safety…but in reality, it was about consolidating control.
PBD argued that history repeatedly shows that authoritarian regimes prioritize disarming citizens to eliminate threats to their rule.
The Fear of Free Speech
He also shared his experience interviewing Brazil’s former president, Jair Bolsonaro. During the interview, Bolsonaro was visibly emotional, knowing that his ability to freely speak was under attack. Shortly after their conversation, Bolsonaro was charged and faced a potential 38-year prison sentence.
PBD pointed to Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes as an example of judicial overreach, comparing him to the very tyrants who fear open dialogue.
America’s Unique Constitution and Freedoms
Comparing global governance, Patrick highlighted how America stands alone in its constitutional commitment to gun rights and absolute freedom of speech. While many nations have constitutions, only the U.S. guarantees these freedoms without exceptions like hate speech laws. He emphasized that despite being a relatively young country, the U.S. has the world’s oldest active constitution, providing unparalleled stability.
The Fragility of Freedom and the Need for Vigilance
Drawing parallels between his personal journey—from fleeing Iran as a child to becoming a U.S. soldier—PBD stressed the importance of protecting these freedoms. He recounted moments in his life when he recognized the value of living in America, including his transformation from an atheist to a believer after receiving a Bible in the military.
He also warned that complacency is dangerous. As political tides shift, maintaining awareness and recruiting future leaders with strong values—whether they be politicians, media figures, or entrepreneurs—is critical to ensuring the country’s future remains bright.
A Call to Action
Patrick concluded with a powerful reminder that while winning in politics or business can lead to complacency, true patriots must remain vigilant. Tyrants continue to strategize behind closed doors, and only through continued activism and engagement can the principles of freedom be safeguarded.
His final message: Stay alert, stay involved, and fight for the next generation of leaders to uphold the core values that make America free.
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