Is hate speech protected by the First Amendment?

Source: Expression
by David Hudson

“A recent survey from the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education found that a majority of Americans (57%) correctly recognize that the First Amendment protects hate speech from governmental regulation, punishment, or censorship — but 45% think that it should not be protected. The First Amendment makes no general exception for offensive, repugnant, or hateful expression. … speech by adults as free citizens does not lose First Amendment protection because it is considered hateful.” (09/16/25)

https://expression.fire.org/p/is-hate-speech-protected-by-the-first