Dear FreedomFesters,
Greetings and happy July 4th!
To get you in the mood for FreedomFest, this Sunday, July 5th, I’ll be appearing as Ben Franklin along with David Shippey appearing as George Washington on C-SPAN 2. Here’s the schedule: A Conversation with George Washington and Ben Franklin | Video | C-SPAN.org
Every year I look forward to FreedomFest, and this year’s event, scheduled for July 8-11, 2026, at the Caesars Forum Conference Center, is going to be memorable. We are billing it as “The World’s Fair of Liberty,” in honor of the 250th anniversary of our nation’s founding.
You could also call it “The World Cup of Liberty”!
First Things First!
Every FreedomFest, the first thing I do is get the printed program and circle all the breakout sessions I want to attend. You should do the same. You can get started now by going online at www.freedomfest.com/agenda and see the entire up-to-date program. There are over 200 sessions to choose from, including the Anthem film festival.
Wednesday, July 8: Let’s Get Started.
It starts off at 11:30 – 11:45 am in rooms 110-112 with my wife Jo Ann and I highlighting the most exciting parts of FreedomFest and the Anthem film festival. Come find a seat early! Jo Ann has some great films as always that you won’t want to miss. Fit them into your schedule. You can see the entire list of films here: Films – Anthem
“The Bestsellers of 1776”
Let’s lots to choose from on Wednesday afternoon. In my own case, I’ll start off FreedomFest at 12 noon hosting a series of breakout sessions in the Philosophers Room 104 entitled “The Bestsellers of 1776,” books and events that changed the world forever in 1776. The three sessions will be filmed by C-SPAN, and you are welcome to attend. Or watch them on C-SPAN in a few weeks.
Session 1 at 12 – 12:45 pm will be on “The Two Toms: How Thomas Paine’s ‘Common Sense’ Led to Thomas Jefferson’s ‘Declaration of Independence,’” with guest historians David Fisher, Shane Krauser, and Randy . This will offer some great new insights into the American revolution.
Session 2 at 1 – 1:45 pm will be on “Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations: The Declaration of Economic Independence,” with Rob Arnott, who will display his copy of the first edition of “The Wealth of Nations.” Worth seeing the two-volume work that changed the global economy.
Session 3 at 2 – 3 pm will be on “Edward Gibbon’s ‘Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire” and David Hume’s “Treatise on Human Nature,” with Steve Forbes (author of “Power Ambition Glory: The Stunning Parallels between Great Leaders of the Ancient World and Today”) and philosopher Brian Thomassen. Gibbon’s 6-volume work foreshadowed the decline of the British empire, and Hume is considered the philosopher of the Enlightenment and Skepticism. A lively discussion!
What Should I Ask Senator Rand Paul?
Our opening ceremonies start right after this series, with a welcome from Valerie Durham, our conference director, and Kennedy (Fox News) as our emcee extraordinaire. Actor Dean Cain (Superman in “Lois & Clark” series) will read the Declaration of Independence. We will also hear from Steve Forbes and others on “Celebrating the Achievements of the American Experiment: What Have We Done Right?”
At around 6 pm, I will interview Senator Rand Paul (the most libertarian senator today) on a variety of topics with “21 Questions.” Four years ago I interviewed Senator Paul, showing clips of his confrontations with various Biden administrators. Afterwards, he said it was the most fun interview he had ever had.
Would you like to ask Senator Paul a question? Send your question to me at [email protected], and I’ll see if can work it in.
Enjoy the Opening Cocktail Party and the Buzz in the Exhibit Hall
After his talk, the Opening Cocktail Party will begin and last until 8 pm. You won’t believe the buzz you will feel when you enter the Exhibit Hall.
Be sure to check out the Red Carpet appearance of our celebrity speakers, and take the opportunity to spend time with our exhibitors, including my new publisher, the Oxford Club (exhibit #310, right next to Battle Bank, my favorite new full-service online bank). Feel free to pick up a free copy of my new letter, The Skousen Report, and check out my new trading service, Future Tech Trader (co-edited by my son Tim), and other Oxford Club services.
Don’t miss the “White Mates in Two” Chess Problem in the exhibit hall, always a favorite among attendees. First one to solve it gets a 2025 American eagle silver dollar, worth almost $100 these days! A new chess problem will appear every day.
Consider buying a silver dollar from our coin dealers there, and come up at the end of the closing panel on Saturday and get your picture taken with Steve Forbes and other speakers. It’s always a highlight.
Ring the Liberty Bell!
And before you leave, be sure to make a contribution to the many free-market organizations and then go over ring the Liberty Bell, located at the Freedom360 Foundation Booth #419. It’s really loud!
Thursday, July 9: Debates and More
The following day, Thursday, I’ll be involved in several exciting events. At 8:30 – 9:15 am in the morning in the Adams Salon (Room 126), I’ll introduce neurosurgeon Michael Egnor, author of “The Immortal Mind,” who will give strong evidence and real-world experiences as a surgeon that the mind continues to live on while the brain does not. Grab a quick breakfast, and join us.
After the early morning breakfast and sessions, we will start the main program with the Global Economic Summit, led by Rob Arnott, where global experts will discuss the current geo-political events in North and Latin America, the Middle East, Europe and Africa.
The morning general session will end with a revealing talk by Overstock CEO, Patrick Byrne, on “My Greatest Entrepreneurial Success: Disrupting the Deep State.”
Afterwards, Steve Forbes and I will be hosting a luncheon, Q&A, photo opportunity, and fundraiser with Senator Rand Paul and his wife Kelley. I suggest you sign up now, as the room only holds 120 people. Be one of the lucky one! To sign up, go to www.freedomfest.com, and look for special events.
In the afternoon, we will have lots of breakout sessions and films, including a debate, “Is Trump a Net Gain or a Net Loss for Liberty?” with TV personality Wayne Allyn Root defending and Reason Senior Editor Jacob Sullum protesting the President. The sparks will fly. Epoch Times editor Jan Jekielek will be the moderator.
Founding Fathers Make an Appearance in “The Spirit of 1776” at the Coffee Break!
At 3 pm during the coffee break in the Exhibit Hall, watch for the original musical play “The Spirit of 1776” (written by Jo Ann Skousen) to appear with Steve Forbes as George Washington…Gary Alexander as John Adams….Dave Phillips as Roger Sherman….Brian Drury as Thomas Jefferson…Lydia Abbott as Martha Jefferson….and yours truly as Benjamin Franklin. A 20-minute show not to be missed! Get there early for a seat!
Adam Carolla Interviews Nick Shirley, America’s #1 Investigative Report
Nick Shirley, our #1 keynote speaker this year, will be interviewed by Adam Carolla: “My Most Dangerous Assignment: Uncovering Government Fraud in Minnesota and California.” He has come under death threats and required additional security. Don’t miss his presentation.
Shirley met with Elon Musk, who awarded Shirley $100,000 to continue his expose of California fraud.
At 8 pm Thursday evening in the Anthem Film Festival Room 110-112, see “Reagan, The Director’s Cut,” and afterwards meet Sean McNamara the director and Mark Joseph the producer of this wonderful film about President Ronald Reagan, starring Dennis Quaid and Jon Voight.
Friday, July 10
At 9 – 9:45 am in the Student Lounge Room 128, I will be speaking to several hundred students who are coming to FreedomFest (thanks to the donations of many) on the importance of “Austrian Economics for Students.”
Leonard E. “Read This Book” Award Goes to….
The main stage program begins at 9:30 am. At 10:55 am, I will present this year’s Leonard E. “Read This Book” Award to historian and TV personality Eric Metaxas for his great book, “REVOLUTION: The Origins of the Greatest Nation in the History of the World” – a must read for all Americans as we celebrate the 250th anniversary of 1776.
After a short summary of the book, he will follow with a 45 minute in-depth discussion of his history at 2-2:45 pm Friday afternoon in the Free Speech Room #108-109, followed by an autograph session right afterwards in the Exhibit Hall from 2:45 – 3:45 pm (coffee break). See you in the exhibit hall, which John Mackey calls “The Trade Show for Liberty.” The buzz is incredible.
Both Eric and I will be signing books, and we are going to have a contest to see who can sell the most copies, Eric’s “Revolution” or my “Greatest American.” Both books will be offered at a bargain price of $25. Both will include a rare Franklin stamp. A collectible first edition!
Adam Smith vs Karl Marx: The Ultimate Capitalism vs Socialism Debate!
Earlier that afternoon, at 1-1:45 pm in the Debate Room #106-107, I’ll be moderating a big capitalism vs socialism debate between John Mackey, former CEO of Whole Foods Market and author of “Conscious Capitalism,” and Marxist Professor Andrew Hartmann. “Resolved: Karl Marx’s critique of capitalism is fundamentally flawed; Free-enterprise capitalism is the greatest system ever invented to fulfill the needs of most members of society.” Can’t wait!
Glenn Beck, Then our Mock Trial on ICE!
I’m also looking forward to Glenn Beck’s talk on American history and his display of artifacts from the American Revolution. Afterwards, we will be hold this year’s mock trial will be a thriller, on the hottest topic today: Putting the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on trial.
Our mock trial is always our most popular event. Our judge this year is American TV and film producer Del Bigtree, who led Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s campaign for president in 2024. The prosecuting attorney is returning by popular demand: Atlanta criminal defense lawyer Catherine Bernard; the defense attorney will be TV personality and author Wayne Allyn Root. Star witnesses for the prosecution will be Athar Haseebullah, executive director of the ACLU in Nevada, and Billy Binion, top reporter for Reason magazine. Star witnesses for the defense will be actor and film producer Dean Cain, who played Superman in “Lois and Clark” TV series; and J. J. Carrell, a 24-year veteran of the U. S. Border Patrol in San Diego and author of “Invaded.” The 12 jurors will be selected from the audience. Majority rules. We have had a few cases of a hung jury (6-6). You won’t want to miss this year’s mock trial.
There will be a dinner that evening that everyone is invited to: “The Freedom to Try” dinner sponsored by Dan Montano, with special guest speaker Bret Favre, former NFL quarterback! Not to be missed! The fee is $100 for a great evening.
Saturday, July 11 (7-11 in Vegas)
The last day of the big conference starts early with a 7:30 – 9:00 breakfast with the M&M Boys – Mark Skousen and Marc Lichtenfeld, both editors of the Oxford Club, with special guest Tim Skousen, co-editor of the Future Tech Trader. Our topic: “The Home Run Derby: The M&M Boys Reveal their Favorite Growth & Income Hits.” Sign up now, as this event is selling out. It will be held in the Franklin Salon #102-103. Of course!
UFC and Kelsey Grammer
In our main session on Saturday morning, we will meet the big names behind the UFC, including Brazilian fighter Renato Moicano, interviewed by Matt Kibbe, and then our keynote celebrity speaker, Kelsey Grammer, better known as “Frasier,” in an interview by Alexander McCobin, CEO of Principled Business and in charge of the Pitch Tank competition this year. Not to be missed!
After the coffee break, we’ll conclude with two closing panels, the “Washington Insiders Panel” with Steve Forbes, Grover Norquist, John Fund and Eric Erickson, followed by a second panel with Jon Nijarian, Terry Kibbe, Del Bigtree, and Rainer Zitelmann, author of the new book “New Space Capitalism.”
While the main stage and room will be broken down for the Saturday night banquet, we will have over a dozen breakout sessions to choose from, and even I will have a hard time deciding which to attend. At 2-2:45 pm in the Jefferson Room #124-125, we will have “The Free Will Debate: Are Humans Predictable and Rational, or Wayward and Incalculable?” with Michael Shermer, Doug Jennifer Grossman, and Mark Skousen (moderator).
Before the Saturday night banquet, don’t miss the Anthem Champaigne Toast & Awards ceremony at 5-6 pm in the Anthem Film Festival Room 110-112. Come early to get a seat!
And then come celebrate with us the Saturday night banquet, with lots of festivities, great food and drink, the annual Freedom Award to be given to Chris Rufer (“The Tomato King of California”), and dancing to the Quarter Millennials band. A great way to end four days of celebrating liberty.
Next Year’s 20th Anniversary Celebration!
And don’t forget to sign up for next year’s FreedomFest, July 21-24, 2027, at Caesars Forum Conference Center, Las Vegas, where we will celebrate the 20th anniversary of “The Greatest Libertarian Show on Earth.” Our theme is “Build the Rebellion.” If we build it, they will come!
Yours for peace, prosperity, and liberty, AEIOU,
Dr. Mark Skousen
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