Barstool Sports founder Dave Portnoy drew a sharp distinction between accountability and cancel culture during a New York City event for his new book last week, standing up for free speech but rejecting the idea that the First Amendment can shield people from the consequences of what they say.Speaking at 92NY, a cultural and community center known for its Jewish roots located on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, "El Presidente" said that people can and should be criticized for making offensive comments, but argued it is a different situation entirely when naysayers decide they dislike a person first and then comb through years of old material in search of something damaging.Dave Portnoy speaks at "Dave Portnoy In Conversation With Erika Ayers Badan: Cancel Me If You Can" at 92NY on June 29, 2026, in New York City.(Theo Wargo/Getty Images)"If I say something really bad or offensive or racist or sexist, right now, right here, [I] should be held accountable for that," Portnoy said in response to a question submitted by Fox News Digital at the event.He emphasized that he believes in freedom of speech, but said there is no freedom from accountability.HOCHUL PRESS OFFICE FEUDS WITH DAVE PORTNOY ON X AS CRITICS ROAST GOVERNOR IN HER OWN REPLIES"You can't just say whatever you want and then be like, 'Hey, I can say it.
Freedom of speech!' I'm not saying you can't say it.I'm not saying you should go to jail, but you can be held responsible, you can be criticized," Portnoy said.Erika Ayers Badan and Dave Portnoy attend "Dave Portnoy In Conversation With Erika Ayers Badan: Cancel Me If You Can" at 92NY in New York City on June 29, 2026.
(Theo Wargo/Getty Images)"And it's real time...To me, that's a big difference."According to Portnoy, there is one caveat, however: digging up dirt is acceptable if the subject is an elected official or running for office.DAVE PORTNOY LEFT 'STUNNED' BY NYC SOCIALIST VICTORIES, SAYS THE AMERICAN DREAM IS UNDER SIEGE"Now, politicians, it's a li...