💬 When Freedom Of Speech Affects A Business’s Bottom Line

Letter From The Editor

Freedom of speech isn’t free, as I discuss in today’s main article. That’s all. I don’t want to ruin it, because it’s spicy!

In today’s newsletter I discuss when freedom of speech affects a business’s bottom line, Nvidia invests $100 Billion in OpenAI, Daft Punk comes to Fortnite, Taylor Swift’s “The Life of a Showgirl” is getting a theatrical release party, Tom Brady is now the Chief Innovation Officer for the robotics massage company named Aescape (that’s pretty random), and Christian Horner has reportedly received a settlement of $100 million dollars from Red Bull to terminate his contract (you can fire me all day long if you pay me that kind of money!)

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💬 When Freedom Of Speech Affects A Business’s Bottom Line

I’m all for freedom of speech, regardless of who’s saying it or that’s person’s political affiliation.

Full stop.

For the last week I’ve had this famous line about freedom of speech going through my head:

"I disapprove of what you say, but I will defend to the death your right to say it".

-Evelyn Beatrice Hall-

Many attribute that line to the French writer Voltaire, but it was actually written by his biographer Evelyn Beatrice Hall in 1906 to summarize his views on free speech. Regardless of who said it, those words echo true some 119 years later, and I hope they never stop being true.

Our first amendment is one of the most important rights we have here in the United States, and no matter how heated our political environment gets we can’t ever give up that right.

That said, words have consequences, and many corporations right now are feeling those effects on their bottom lines. I have the utmost respect for any corporation that stands up for our right to free speech, because it sure isn’t free!

💰 Business

Nvidia announced that it will invest up to $100 billion dollars in OpenAI to help expand the artificial intelligence company's computing power. The deal, which brings together two of the most influential companies in the AI sector, involves Nvidia progressively investing in OpenAI as new Nvidia systems are deployed. The first gigawatt of computing power from this partnership is expected to be deployed in the second half of 2026 on Nvidia's upcoming Vera Rubin platform.

🍿 Entertainment

Taylor Swift’s twelfth studio album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” will be celebrated with an official theatrical release party from October 3, 2025, to October 5, 2025. The event, titled "Taylor Swift: The Official Release Party of a Showgirl," will feature the exclusive premiere of the music video for her single “The Fate of Ophelia,” with tickets priced at $12 dollars a piece. The singer's previous concert film, “The Eras Tour,” went on to gross more than $261 million dollars globally.

🤖 Tech

Legendary quarterback, and some might argue GOAT, Tom Brady is now the Chief Innovation Officer for the robotics massage company Aescape, which grants them the exclusive rights to his longevity and recovery protocols. The company has raised approximately $130 million dollars in funding to date, with a recent $83 million dollars round led by Valor Equity Partners. Is there anything Tom Brady can’t do, except win against the NY Giants?!?!

🎮 Gaming

Epic Games and the French electronic duo Daft Punk, comprised of Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo, are collaborating on a new interactive "Daft Punk Experience" launching in Fortnite on September 27, 2025. Sadly it’s not a reunion for the band, but a way to celebrate their music and legacy, which is exactly the kind of thing you would expect two guys in robot helmets to do.

🚘 Sports

Christian Horner has reportedly received a settlement of $100 million dollars from Red Bull to terminate his contract, which was originally set to run until 2030. The agreement, announced on Monday, September 22, 2025, allows Christian Horner to return to Formula 1 with another team in 2026. So it looks like Christian Horner will still have a reason to wake up in the morning, besides being married to a Spice Girl.

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irl Media NEWSLETTER is written, edited, and published by Chris Thompson.