Most Talked-About Controversies Linked to Noam Chomsky

Public opinion and media debates around Noam Chomsky—discover key moments of controversy.

Noam Chomsky is a highly influential American linguist, philosopher, cognitive scientist, and political activist. He is renowned as the "father of modern linguistics" for his groundbreaking theories on universal grammar. Chomsky is also a prominent figure on the American left, known for his sharp critiques of U.S. foreign policy, capitalism, and the role of corporations and media in shaping political discourse. He has authored over 150 books on diverse topics, solidifying his place as one of the most cited living authors.

Sections (6)

Full Timeline Early Life & Education Career & Achievements Success & Recognition Challenges & Struggles Controversies & Scandals

1947: Criticized UN Partition Plan for Palestine

In 1947, Chomsky said that the United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine was a bad decision, but he considered a two-state solution on equal terms.

1962: Joined protests against Vietnam War

In 1962, Chomsky started to publicly protest against the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, speaking at small gatherings in churches and homes.

1967: Rising to National Attention

In 1967, Chomsky rose to national attention for his anti-war essay "The Responsibility of Intellectuals", as an outspoken opponent of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.

1967: Published "The Responsibility of Intellectuals"

In 1967, Chomsky's critique of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War, "The Responsibility of Intellectuals," debuted in The New York Review of Books, marking his emergence as a public dissident.

1968: Questioned Student Protest Objectives

In 1968, Chomsky questioned the objectives of the student protests even though he regularly lectured student activist groups and ran undergraduate courses on politics at MIT independently.

1969: Support for Walt Rostow at MIT

In 1969, Chomsky threatened to protest publicly if MIT denied Walt Rostow, a major architect of the Vietnam War, a position at MIT.

1969: Published American Power and the New Mandarins

In 1969, Chomsky's first political book, "American Power and the New Mandarins", was published, collecting his essay "The Responsibility of Intellectuals" and other political articles.

1970: Publication of At War with Asia

In 1970, Chomsky published "At War with Asia", another of his political books, published by Pantheon Books.

1973: Publication of The Backroom Boys and For Reasons of State

In 1973, Chomsky published two more political books, "The Backroom Boys" and "For Reasons of State", both published by Pantheon Books.

1973: Counter-Revolutionary Violence Publication

In 1973, Chomsky, along with Edward S. Herman, wrote "Counter-Revolutionary Violence: Bloodbaths in Fact & Propaganda", criticizing U.S. military involvement in Southeast Asia. The parent company of Warner Modular, the original publisher, disapproved of the book's contents and ordered all copies destroyed.

1974: Publication of Peace in the Middle East?

In 1974, Chomsky published "Peace in the Middle East?", another of his political books, published by Pantheon Books.

1979: Publication of The Political Economy of Human Rights

In 1979, South End Press published Chomsky and Herman's revised "Counter-Revolutionary Violence" as the two-volume "The Political Economy of Human Rights".

1980: Faurisson Affair

In 1980, Chomsky defended Robert Faurisson's right to freedom of speech, leading to accusations of Holocaust denial and damaging his career, especially in France, after his plea for Faurisson's freedom of speech was published as the preface to Faurisson's book.

1983: Published The Fateful Triangle

In 1983, Chomsky published "The Fateful Triangle", arguing that the U.S. had continually used the Israeli–Palestinian conflict for its own ends.

1983: Criticism of Palestine Liberation Organization

In 1983, Chomsky's book, The Fateful Triangle, criticized the Palestine Liberation Organization for its "self-destructiveness" and "suicidal character," disapproving of its programs involving "armed struggle" and "erratic violence." He also criticized Arab governments. These views, considering his upbringing, sparked controversy.

1985: Traveled to Managua

In 1985, Chomsky traveled to Managua during the Nicaraguan Contra War to meet with workers' organizations and refugees, giving public lectures on politics and linguistics.

1987: Published On Power and Ideology: The Managua Lectures

In 1987, many of Chomsky's lectures from his trip to Managua were published as "On Power and Ideology: The Managua Lectures".

1988: Published Manufacturing Consent

In 1988, Chomsky and Herman published "Manufacturing Consent: The Political Economy of the Mass Media", outlining their propaganda model for understanding mainstream media.

1988: Visited Palestinian Territories

In 1988, Chomsky visited the Palestinian territories to witness the impact of Israeli occupation.

1988: Creation of Hamas Charter

In 1988, according to Chomsky, the charter of Hamas, which calls for Israel's destruction, was created "by a small group of people under siege, under attack".

1989: Published Necessary Illusions

In 1989, Chomsky published "Necessary Illusions: Thought Control in Democratic Societies", in which he suggests citizens undertake intellectual self-defense against controlling media and elite culture.

1995: Visited Australia for East Timor cause

In 1995, Chomsky visited Australia to talk about East Timorese independence at the behest of the East Timorese Relief Association and the National Council for East Timorese Resistance.

1996: Published Powers and Prospects

In 1996, the lectures Chomsky gave on East Timor were published as "Powers and Prospects".

1999: Criticism of International Force for East Timor

In 1999, after East Timor attained independence, Chomsky criticized the Australian-led International Force for East Timor, believing it was designed to secure Australian access to East Timor's oil and gas reserves.

2001: Interviewed After September 11 Attacks

In 2001, Chomsky was widely interviewed after the September 11 attacks, arguing that the ensuing war on terror was a continuation of U.S. foreign policy.

2002: Visited Turkey for publisher's trial

In 2002, Chomsky visited Turkey to attend the trial of a publisher accused of treason for printing one of his books, insisting on being a co-defendant, and during that trip he visited Kurdish areas of Turkey, speaking in favor of Kurdish human rights.

2003: Opposing the Invasion of Iraq

In 2003, Chomsky opposed the invasion of Iraq, continuing his vocal political activism after retiring from active teaching at MIT.

2003: Published Hegemony or Survival

In 2003, Chomsky published "Hegemony or Survival", critiquing the Iraq War and other aspects of the war on terror and articulating what he called the United States' "imperial grand strategy".

2004: Accusations of Cherry-Picking Facts

In the 2004 book The Anti-Chomsky Reader, Peter Collier and David Horowitz accused Chomsky of cherry-picking facts to suit his theories. Horowitz also criticized Chomsky's anti-Americanism.

January 2006: Criticism of Financial Practices

In January 2006, Peter Schweizer criticized Chomsky for setting up an estate plan and protecting his intellectual property, as well as the high speaking fees he received, around $9,000–$12,000 per talk at that time, in a publication for the Hoover Institution.

2008: Jeffrey Epstein's conviction

In 2008, Jeffrey Epstein was convicted. Chomsky befriended him after this conviction.

2010: Denial of Entry to West Bank

In 2010, Chomsky was denied entry to the West Bank due to his criticisms of Israel. He was scheduled to lecture at Bir Zeit University and meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. An Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman later claimed it was a mistake.

2011: Supported the Occupy Movement

In 2011, Chomsky supported the Occupy movement, speaking at encampments and publishing on the movement, which he called a reaction to a 30-year class war.

September 2012: Criticism of Chomsky's Ideology

In September 2012, Nikolas Kozloff wrote for Al Jazeera that while Chomsky deserves credit for highlighting the misdeeds of the U.S. and its proxies, he has become an ideologue by avoiding controversy at all costs, such as significant discussion of Belarus or Latin America's authoritarian leaders.

2014: Comments on Hamas Charter

In a 2014 interview on Democracy Now!, Chomsky stated that the Hamas charter, which advocates for Israel's destruction, "means practically nothing." He compared it to the Likud party's electoral program, which he claimed explicitly denies the possibility of a Palestinian state west of the Jordan River.

2016: Epstein's invitation to Chomsky

In 2016, Epstein invited Chomsky and his wife, Valeria, to meet in either New York or the Caribbean. Chomsky expressed a desire to visit the Caribbean island.

2016: Criticism from President Erdoğan

In early 2016, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan of Turkey publicly rebuked Chomsky after he signed an open letter condemning Erdoğan for anti-Kurdish repression and double standards on terrorism. Chomsky accused Erdoğan of hypocrisy, noting his support for al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate.

2017: Continued contact with Jeffrey Epstein

In 2017, Chomsky remained in contact with Jeffrey Epstein, who he befriended after Epstein's 2008 conviction.

2019: Epstein's Reference to Chomsky's advice

In 2019, Epstein referenced advice he said Chomsky had given him on handling media scrutiny after his 2008 plea deal, suggesting that ignoring it was the best approach.

November 2025: Release of Emails Related to Jeffrey Epstein

In November 2025, emails related to Jeffrey Epstein released by the House Oversight Committee revealed that Chomsky befriended him after Epstein's 2008 conviction and stayed in touch with him at least through 2017. He described Epstein as a "highly valued friend and regular source of intellectual exchange and stimulation".

December 2025: Release of Photos with Steve Bannon and Jeffrey Epstein

In December 2025, Congress released a photo of Chomsky with Steve Bannon from Epstein's estate and another showing him flying with Epstein in Epstein's private plane.

2026: Valeria Chomsky's Apology

In 2026, Valeria Chomsky wrote that Chomsky's relationship with Epstein was a "grave mistake" and apologized on Chomsky's behalf, saying it was "deeply disturbing" to realize they had engaged with someone who led a "hidden life of criminal, inhumane, and perverted acts."