No arresting Milo’s disdain for the left
MILO Yiannopoulos is promising to bring his unique brand of commentary and controversy to the Gold Coast – if he doesn’t “get arrested” first.
The right-wing political commentator and media personality made his name as a supporter of Donald Trump’s presidency and will make his first trip to the Coast next month to apply the blowtorch to culture’s sacred cows.
Mr Yiannopoulos’s December 7 event is promoting the Australian release of his book Dangerous and ticketholders will be told of the “secret CBD location” only a week before.
While the 33-year-old expects protests similar to those during US stops on his tour, he urged critics to come in with an open mind.
“I love audiences which are comprised of fans and sceptics. It is a lovely dynamic – with people who are horrified and don’t know what to do while others cheer,” the British-born writer told the Bulletin from his home in Miami, Florida.
THE RISE OF THE RIGHT
Mr Yiannopoulos’s speech will come two weeks after the State election, at which Pauline Hanson’s One Nation is expected to gain several seats.
The commentator said there was a growing support for right-wing parties.
“There are populist, nationalist and anti-political correctness conservative uprising happening all over the west. A kind of grassroots movement in a reaction to the orthodoxies of the left and its total ownership of the media and Hollywood.
“It is a good and healthy reaction and I am happy it exists. However, conservatives need to be held to account too.”
SPEECH AND GUNS
Mr Yiannopoulous, who has been criticised for his views and links to hard-right groups, said Australia should enshrine free speech and gun ownership as rights in its constitution similar to the US and called for the repeal of racial vilification laws, including Section 18C.
“I hope I don’t get arrested while I am over there. I am used to being in America where you can say whatever you want,” he said.
“I think every western country needs its own first and second amendments – the right to say whatever you want and the right to bear arms. The American constitution is the greatest innovation in western civilisation.”
THE LEFT
Mr Yiannopoulos’s book focuses extensively on attacking the political left and arguing for greater free speech. “Conservative points of view are being driven from public life ... this is the problem because if you are a left-winger, you ought to want a strong opposition because it keeps you honest.
DONALD TRUMP
Mr Yiannopoulos was one of the US President’s most prominent supporters in the media in the lead up to the 2016 election.
He tipped the incumbent to win the 2020 election, but only if he ran as a candidate again.
“The jury is still out on his presidency but he is on a solid path to re-election currently, partially because of the weakness of the Democrats and the reasons he was elected have not gone away,” he said.
“The left has no answer to Trumpism and on current trends he will definitely get a second term, presuming he runs.”