Lula Visits Chomsky Recovering from Stroke: "You Are One of the Most Influential People in My Life"

Support our work: democracynow.org/donate/sm-de...
The world-renowned linguist and dissident Noam Chomsky was discharged from a São Paulo hospital in Brazil last month as he continues to recover from a stroke last year that impacted his ability to speak. His wife, Valeria Wasserman Chomsky, told a Brazilian newspaper he still follows the news and raises his left arm in anger when he sees images of Israel's war on Gaza. False reports that Chomsky had died went viral online in June. We speak with historian Vijay Prashad, who co-authored his latest book with Chomsky, _The Withdrawal: Iraq, Libya, Afghanistan, and the Fragility of U.S. Power_, and was able to visit him twice while in Brazil. He describes Chomsky as "a beloved friend, adviser, confidante, but in some ways the one who helped explain what was happening in the world for decades." When Prashad was with Chomsky, Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva also stopped by.
Democracy Now! is an independent global news hour that airs on over 1,500 TV and radio stations Monday through Friday. Watch our livestream at democracynow.org Mondays to Fridays 8-9 a.m. ET.
Subscribe to our Daily Email Digest: democracynow.org/subscribe

[@ThisTooShallPass2030]

He is 95 years old, he has done a lot and humanity is thankful for his work

[@zombiehampster1397]

@@nearthefarworld this is a tired nothing burger, you should probably read up on his actual "connection" to Epstein

[@zombiehampster1397]

He has done far more for this world than most can even dream of and I will always be greatful for his sacrifices.

[@ThisTooShallPass2030]

@@nearthefarworld His first wife Carol is the best wife, for sure. She may have been the moral compass the whole time, while Noam was the brains

[@ThisTooShallPass2030]

@@zombiehampster1397 true, tough to find an equal in the 20th century

[@tmnt10000]

​@@zombiehampster1397 Like what? Did he cure cancer? He is a sellout.

[@dragon07golden]

Great Noam Chomsky, we Brazilians recognize as a great human being, a special person, a great connoisseur of history and a great activist. There are no words for his legacy and it will continue. May you recover well. Take care.

[@nearthefarworld]

He's an EPSTEIN associate

[@dragon07golden]

@@nearthefarworld I've seen a documentary about Epstein, and Chomsky has nothing to do with the Epstein group. He fooled a lot of people. And, there is nothing against Chomsky's good character. His actions reveal who he is, not false rumors and bad intentions.

[@vanessacarvalho9076]

​@nearthefarworld I think you'd meant SataNyahu 😂😂😂😂😂 @$$ h0 l& 😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@zaloo]

@@nearthefarworld i don't think Mossad associates with Noam Fking Chomsky. nice try :) your scare tactics are for children.

[@voidisyinyangvoidisyinyang885]

@@nearthefarworld Drumpf has 14 phone contacts in Epstein's Blackbook yet that can't even be mentioned in the corporate media? The newly revealed Epstein phone logs show Drumpf as a routine phone contact and Mar-A-Lago was a main source for Epstein's Florida victims as the Netflix doc on Ghislaine revealed. Thanks for mentioning Epstein - Noam just got tricked into a financial consulting meeting - that's it. Drumpf was on Epstein's jet some 7 times and Melania's Best Friend is also listed as a contact in Epstein's 2nd blackbook that's been corroborated by "Business Insider" while Epstein bragged he hooked up Melania with Drumpf.

[@Mimicry161]

his book "manufacturing consent" changed my life.

[@nearthefarworld]

Isn't it like common sense 101? Like not being associated with Epstein, which he was?

[@fabiengerard8142]

Same here -- some thirty years ago. Most brillant mind of his time, the one and only «modern Socrates»...

[@TacticalMayo]

​@@fabiengerard8142an absolute traitor.

[@solarplexusification]

Chomsky Reader was my first book from him. Was enough to change my view of the world forever.

[@solarplexusification]

Traitor who?

[@giuliafrattini9554]

He is the greatest scholar and intellectual in the World. Lots of Love to Chomsky

[@nearthefarworld]

He's associated to Epstein

[@bunsw2070]

He thought people that refused the vaccine should be starved.

[@sodvar5047]

I'm Brazilian and we will always be deeply indebted to Chomsky. Best of wishes in his recovery.

[@rcheg.]

🇧🇷

[@TacticalMayo]

As an American, I pray that he's not buried on our soil for he is truly a treasonous dog.

[@FishMonger849]

He’s one of the most influential people in any moral persons’ life

[@memyselfandi8544]

But he will never go against the establishment. Covid was proof.

[@bunsw2070]

Moral as in lobbying for the unvaccinated to be starved?

[@Christian-qu9ml]

Chomsky is an amazing man. Huge respect. ❤

[@jimnichols1066]

I don't understand. Chomsky was a traitor to his country. Are you a traitor also?

[@heyboss15]

Prayers for Chomsky

[@johnmcmahon5225]

I believe that Dr. Chomsky is an atheist. Do prayers work on them?

[@JohnLemieux]

“He still follows the news and raises his left arm in anger when he sees images of Israel’s war on Gaza.” Fucking legend.

[@webwhisper2701]

A war that began after Hamas brutally murdered, raped and pillaged …

[@sabrinacochran9808]

🤘🏼 ❤

[@geniecarpenter2046]

Bless you, Noam Chomsky, thank you for all that you have done for us. ❤❤❤

[@mojo9291]

Chomsky is one of the greatest American intellectuals in history.

[@TacticalMayo]

He's not American at all. He's an absolute traitor and he better not be buried on our soil.

[@22julip]

You better start wearing your crash helmet, you’ve obviously damaged your brain , he’s a despicable person

[@user-qp3ht9pm9u]

Free Palestine 🇵🇸

[@aarongonzalez2587]

how you gonna khill and expell the 7 million Israeli jews to free palestine?? you guys gonna go full hitler but this time the muslim world is not going to fail???

[@Romeo-fx8dk]

🤮🤮🤮🤮

[@roaringlion1977]

BOT! ​@@Romeo-fx8dk

[@RC-jr4in]

@@Romeo-fx8dk Zio-Nazi bot

[@Mettadana]

We love you Noam. And to your family in USA and Brazil and beyond. 🙏🏽

[@Gamvrelis]

Noam Chomsky - the truth teller. So deserving of the Nobel Prize, even if he were to decline acceptance.

[@22julip]

He wouldn’t decline anything that tells him how important he is . His ego is ten times larger than his intellect, any high school kid can live on conspiracy theories, he’s like the young person. and hears they have a tire that will never ware out. But they won’t do it because they’ll loose money , oh yeah , capitalist pigs , he also endorsed the red menace in Cambodia, he still blamed the US , then when his position was untenable, he begrudgingly backed away from his position . He was and is an empty suit , I question why people would follow him . Mediocre minds think a like !!!!

[@thomasulatowski3012]

Chomsky is 100% right about the fact that language was created not for communication but for thinking. Obviously you have to think something before you can say it and mean it. Also, a great Humanitarian.

[@zetto814]

Great human being! I witnessed so many Canadians, and Canadian Jews, where I lived for almost 2 decades, going from ignorance, even pro-Israeli to opposite opinions about the Israel/Palestine issue through his work. One should.rememener that when Chomsky was raising the issue he was for decades extremely isolated but he never gave up. He was from the first western/American voices talking about Palestine. Today, there are many impressive historians and activists out there, most of them learned a lot from Chomsky. We owe so much to this exceptional man!

[@TacticalMayo]

May he never rest in peace.

[@webwhisper2701]

Great respect for Mr. Chomsky 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻.

[@DorkThink]

Mr. Chomsky, you are my hero. Was gifted by the Universe the opportunity to see you speak in 2011. All my best to you and your dear family. ✨

[@CC-in1jy]

My mind was exposed to the writings and contributions of Noam Chomsky. What a privilege for you to share, especially during these tough times and the horror of inflicted on Palestinians 🇵🇸

[@bpalpha]

Deep love and appreciation for Vijay and Chomsky. Thanks. Peace unto you.

[@welshgit1924]

Only three people have ever aswered my e-mail queries. The first was Noam Chomski, the others being David Graeber (RIP) and Scott Ritter. Keep going Professor, we need you more than ever. Hasta Siempre from Nicaragua.

[@cowsandpigsmaketheearthwar1471]

appreciation and love for my greatest teacher noam chomsky

[@petergiaschi35]

I do believe that there are many "important" people in the world who will be happy to see Noam gone. He has been too insightful, too intelligent and too courageous. And most importantly, perhaps, he is a Jew unafraid to explain just what a disaster for the world the creation and continued arming of the state of Israel has been.

[@zaloo]

you can see the smear tactics on full display

[@TacticalMayo]

The whole West other than traitors want to see him gone.

[@Alan_Dler]

Noam Chomsky is by far amonge the greatest human being in the history of humanity. I pray for a speedy recovery. I am gratufl for all the wisdom and knowlage I gained from reading his books and writting. thank you Noam

[@angiealexis3093]

Bless you Professor Chomsky! Thank you for your service and everything you have done to improve humanity! Prayers sent and a healing hug 🤗🙌🙏

[@violentmelody90]

This is so sad. Watching Noam Chomsky is where I went for comfort when the things happening in the world were scary and uncertain. He’s so inspiring to me.

[@zaloo]

mentee Finklestein, stepping up

[@TacticalMayo]

For you, but for the rest of us in the west, it's absolutely great news.

[@moragmckay3779]

@@TacticalMayo Can you even see how out of step your views are from all those expressed here by "the rest of us in the West"?

[@sunitabenipersaud1492]

Amy and Vijay, thanks for the update on Chomsky. He remains in my prayers. Tell him we all love and care for him. Prayers for his recovery. 🧚‍♂️🙏🌞✨️💫

[@WingsOfPeaceToronto]

Noam Chomsky is the light - world owes so much to him.

[@bunsw2070]

The light of vaccine adverse events.

[@WingsOfPeaceToronto]

@@bunsw2070 do yourself a favour, go back to school - you have much learning to do

[@katakis1]

"He still follows the news and raises his arm in anger" gave me a good chuckle. I wish him all the best. It really pains me to see him suffer these severe health issues, especially in times like these. His work has perhaps had the biggest influence of my understanding of the world, and I will forever thank him for that. Godspeed, Noam.

[@zaloo]

"left arm" :)

[@TacticalMayo]

He's a traitor so f*** him.

[@AKAndoh]

Get better soon Mr Chosmsky! 💜✊!

[@monacojerry]

Reading his essays written at the time of the Vietnam War helped me to see the world, helped me to understand what our ruling class does to those who are weak or oppressed. That education changed my worldview and led me to solidarity with all of those who are exploited and oppressed.

[@freethinker999]

Prof. Chomsky is a highly respected professor/intellectual/activist, a brilliant American mind. Wherever he lectures, people line up for a chance to see/listen to this insightful "guru". His legacy to linguistics, in particular, and humanity, in general, is beyond comprehension. It's a shame that he's been ostracized and undervalued by those in power. We all should be proud to have such a great mind/heart in our era. Clearly, he's someone who's beloved across languages and cultures. I feel honored to be Chomsky's contemporary.

[@webwhisper2701]

yes, sadly power corrupts … and power in the hands of a narcissistic liar is of grave concern to all…

[@lunetelalune2783]

If Noam Chomsky were just known for his contributions to linguistics-- he is known as the father of modern-day linguistics due to his theory of generative grammar--he would still be one of the greatest scholars of the 20th century. He's like the Einstein of linguistics.

[@mariettestabel275]

🙌Blessings for this amazing Human. 💫

[@eniggma9353]

Me: Noam should be celebrated as a person. Society: Celebrates mostly stupidity instead.

[@deborahhuntley9449]

Thanks for the update. NC is a very beloved man! All the best to everyone. dh

[@sljt8d2g7nfp4ua6ey]

Thank you for your truth 👍🙏.

[@Fatma-mx6cc]

What a honor to share this time in the world with Noam. My God he is brave to be a truth speaker for humanity in the face of pure evil, power and greed. Love you Noam and Allah protect your family and keep you joyful now!

[@mariannemoroney2922]

Sir you are beyond a leader! Thank you for your courage and tenacity to hold power to the light! Thank you and hope your recovery is full of ease and you are surrounded by your most loved.

[@nearthefarworld]

He's literally not a leader. He did business with EPSTEIN for the benefit of his school, I believe

[@zombiehampster1397]

@@nearthefarworld lol YOU believe. I suggest you do some research that doesn't involve conspiracy theories.

[@AtomicMushroomz]

@@zombiehampster1397 Unfortunately that isn't a conspiracy theory. He admitted it.

[@DDd-gm8uz]

@@AtomicMushroomz And Chomsky being Chomsky, gets _so_ pissy about it.

[@PhotoDesigner1]

God bless Mr. Chomsky his insights have always provided clarity.

[@MuktadirAlam]

I named my son after him, simply because we need more Noams in this wicked wretched world..

[@amirmajdirad730]

I agree. And you named your son Neom. Awesome. It is a great name.

[@commraiders5]

One of the greatest ever Americans. Not enough words to describe the debt we owe him.

[@nearthefarworld]

I owe that Epstein associate nothing

[@billhanna2148]

The day an 'Merikan president recognizes this giant behemoth of intellect for his work and TRUTH, I will once again believe in my country's leadership.

[@commraiders5]

@@billhanna2148 shit the day somebody in the mainstream media covers him or any of the dozens of similar contemporaries who are demonized and called communists as if it's some derogatory term. This country is over, it's done, the only question is how much are these billionaires willing to take to their graves with them.

[@srsmopar3808]

LOL!

[@johnmcmahon5225]

He was surrounded by other great Americans at MIT. Anyone who has ever visited the urban campus will be amazed by the number of US Armed Forces officers walking around in uniform.

[@josephcaruso7815]

Genuine, honest, brilliant, moral, practical, humble, peaceful, diligent, patient, revolutionary thinker. Can't say enough good things about this kind man.

[@nattanunsangkasaba8991]

Wish Noam recovers and have stable healthy body and peaceful mind❤ Thank u for all the knowledge he has given to the world, I first heard his name from listening to Bernstein lecture.

[@danielcaraveo4844]

If not for Noam, I probably would not be the person I am today! He showed me the way of leftist though.

[@webwhisper2701]

Chomsky denounces both left and right - interesting how you chose post.

[@HussainFahmy]

*_Professor Chomsky is one of a kind._*

[@amirmajdirad730]

One in billion

[@NoMoreVoxPops]

I thought Noam had gone quiet lately...I felt sure it might have been health related. Hope he recovers.

[@jameshammond3853]

I'm a New Yorker. And I shout out a special saluté to our Brazilian comrades ❤🎉

[@carlospenalver8721]

At his funeral they should blast pitchshifters song Genius “If dysfunction is our function (and if we learn by our mistakes) Then I must be some kind of genius.” He and Gore Vidals literature were a huge influence on my mother during her university years back in the 80s and on. Hope he gets well. His exposure is so needed today.

[@mohamedyoussef8835]

God bless Noam Chomsky.

[@forrestblocker4164]

I love listening to Noam speak. I have not read all his books. He is a giant and I feel lucky to have gotten to know some of his works.

[@honey4clover]

Best wishes to professor Chomsky🙏🏼 a true hero of everyone who shares his sense of moral conscience and humanity🕊️

[@TacticalMayo]

He's a hero to traitors but we absolutely f****** hate him here🇺🇲

[@aishwariyasweety2433]

Love you Chomsky!

[@alexandrabarnes4511]

Much love to Noam and his family! ❤❤❤ My late father was a similar age and a psychologist in academia. He told me about how he met Noam many years ago at a conference here in the UK and had a great conversation with him. Wishing him all the best in his recovery. We miss his wisdom so much!

[@TonyMakkar]

wonderful to hear news of Prof Chomsky! Thank you. I look forward to reading his recent books.

[@hanifahal-amin3583]

💜💜💜Take it easy, young man. 😢 From the USA, praying for your ease and comfort.💜💜💜

[@JJ73100]

I PRAY ALLAH HEAL YOU AS SOON AS POSSIBLE ALLAH IS THE HEALER MR NOAM ALLAH ON YOUR SIDE YOU ARE GOOD MAN LOVE YOU FROM JORDAN

[@infowarriorone]

One of the greats.

[@nearthefarworld]

Greats don't associate with Epstein

[@eyesyc]

What the heart has once held, will never be lost.

[@georgesos]

Chomsky,Lula,Vijay, people with wisdom that could have changed the world. Humanity will regret losing this chance for change very soon .

[@Talentedtadpole]

No speech does not necessarily equate to lack of mental capacity.

[@csharra]

Get well soon

[@Someone-id6gk]

he is the most influential person in my life ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤……Wishing him a speedy recovery to keep bestowing on us his wisdom ❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@rosemarysantana8758]

Blessings for this amazining person❤❤ Mr. Noam Chomsky.!

[@jameslowellblakenship2192]

The TRUTH. That is what he is about.

[@LynaGalliara]

Thank you for everything I've learnt from you Dr Chomsky

[@tucsab9705]

A political channel in Brazil said that at a moment Lula had his hand tenderly on Chomsky's face and said to him "you are older them me and has much more hair" and when it was translated by his wife Chomsky opend a big smile.

[@Mike-B.]

The debt I owe to Chomsky will never, ever be repaid -- I have a better chance of paying off the U.S. national debt, personally, than I have of ever repaying him. Hearing this news is a bit overwhelming. What a contribution, and when I say such, I am not just thinking of myself. The ability to think beyond just myself and my own interest was the value proposition his work offered to me -- and surely to so many others. Thank you so much. Wishing you the best. Hang in there.

[@deniseherbert4709]

I discovered Noam Chomsky at 16, watching Manufacturing Consent. He continues to inform and bring clarity to my view of the world to this day. May you recover well.

[@DwainDwight]

I have followed Noam for decades. since I was living in the Middle East in the mid '70s. he is so spot on. one of the truly great humans of our time. him & Gandhi.

[@americasleastwanted]

Hopefully he recovers 😢

[@dulcineadurance1391]

Amy is so respectful " Share what you will".

[@PauloAdriano-zo2ng]

Yes, She wouldn't cut it as a CNN or an MSNBC misinformation talking head.

[@truemangibson]

She's a real journalist

[@1szera]

Yesssssss She is a treasure, herself!

[@wrenlittle8826]

I am sad to hear this. I pray he will find healing peace. He is such an exceptional human being on par with Mandela and Gandhi.

[@greendragonspirit1646]

I hope Mr Chomsky recovers soon, and gives more of his wisdom on the worlds issues .

[@EthanKironus8067]

I'm stunned every time I'm reminded just how broad Chomsky's knowledge and contributions are. He's amazing.

[@CarlZend]

Amy, what a wonderful guest in Vijay Prashad, thank you. Very happy to learn that Noam is recovering. He is a tower of strength and character as few are like him and Bernie Sanders around the world.

[@harrydhannan]

Bless Noam Chomsky. What an incredible human and gift to the world.

[@janeruthraphael4644]

I wish Noam knew about hyperbaric oxygen curing a stroke. Many hospitals have hyperbaric units.

[@asmahamidullah9571]

He is one of the bravest, humblest intellectuals I have known. I am amazed at his on spot predictions. You are leaving a legacy of Truth! May the Creator bless you always! I continue to read your books. ❤from 🇹🇹

[@bluemiltank]

Thankfully I don't think his influence and framework for understanding the world is going anywhere. What an absolute hero.

[@GonnaWaitItout]

When she mentioned that you still raise your left arm in anger when you see the images of Israels war on Gaza I remembered your talk with Zack de la Rocha back in the 90's. He was young and passionate and wanted to learn from you. Your words are just as important now as they ever were. You're mind has touched many around the world! Even an odd one here and there here in Sweden.

[@MugRuith]

It must me maddening to spend your life fighting for justice and to be leaving the world seeing how everything is still going to hell. I know that I feel that way. I wish him the best. He was and is the most thoughtful and articulate leftist intellectual of my time.

[@d33d19]

I am so grateful for his focus on bringing truth to power along with Amy and Howard Zinn.

[@ResistanceQuest]

He's lived three lifetimes-worth of dissent. Noam has his flaws, but his legacy and his influence, especially for those of us fighting for a less warlike, more just world, are incalculable

[@donaldwhittaker7987]

An extraordinarily great man. There are no words for what he has done for us all. He has been a guide in my development since the late 1960s and I don't think I would be the same otherwise. Imagine our corpus of knowledge had there been no Darwin or Newton. Impossible.

[@AI-Hallucination]

The master he has fought for us for a long time let him rest ❤

[@redcloud8444]

He's not ready to go until he sees Palestine is free.

[@randywatson1615]

Noam Chomsky has helped me a lot in my political education. Can’t thank him enough for his work and philosophy. He can say some smart shit that’s still easy enough for an average person to understand.

[@bocarazaz]

MAY GOD HELP HIM TO RECOVERY PATH . HE IS A GREAT HUMAN BEING, GOD BLESS HIM.

[@fafanua]

Prof. Chomsky - thank you for being you❤️ Wishing you a full recovery.

[@nsbd90now]

Y'know who is conspicuously missing from Democracy Now? Chris Hedges.

[@bushies27]

What's the story there?

[@webwhisper2701]

Yes, Chris Hedges is amazing … one of the finest! 👍🏻👍🏻

[@nsbd90now]

@@bushies27 Woah! That's a BIG story! Chris Hedges is a truly impressive person in terms of education, life experience, and moral-ethical integrity.

[@Zeitaluq]

The world and conscience needs Professor Noam Chomsky

[@peacetheworld...........7105]

Thank you Chomsky.......... for your good heart......... get better soon..... Thanks V...... D.N......blessed.

[@mattski1979]

Love you Noam

[@kerrymclaren7460]

GOAT!!!

[@MaryLou5239]

Thanks from Germany ❤ Noam Chomsky changed my way of looking at the world and espacially the medias.

[@DDd-gm8uz]

Ulrike Meinhof is worth an infinite number of Chomskys. Chomsky is nothing more than a passive agent of the status-quo.

[@widyanmassarani]

🙏🏼❤️

[@slappadabass7901]

A moving tribute to an intellectual giant.

[@speicaldark]

Thank you thank you thank you! I have been thinking about Dr. Chomsky, since I haven't read anything from him on truthout. Although the world is heading in the wrong directions, every time I think of how Dr. Chomsky conducted his interviews, his calm voice has a soothing effect.

[@abulbarakat3931]

Wish him full recovery