Al Franken

American comedian and politician (born 1951) · United States · Comedians

Al Franken is read about 874 times a day, in 35 languages.

A typical day, 30 days to 15 October 2026

The middle day of the days counted, so one week of news cannot move it. The line under it is the last 390 days, one point a day.

Something wrong?

Compare Claim

Alan Stuart Franken is an American politician, comedian, screenwriter, and actor who served from 2009 until his resignation in 2018 as a United States senator from Minnesota. A member of the Democratic Party, he worked as an entertainer, appearing on television and in films, before entering politics.

A life in dates

2017“In the United States of America, satire is protected speech, even if the object of the satire doesn’t get it.”In their words2 February 2017As quoted in "The Trump Era Is Al Franken’s Time to Shine" by Graham Vyse, in New Republic (2 February 2017)Read the whole statement

2011“I've said that net neutrality is the most important free speech issue of our time. It's true.”In their words8 November 2011"Net Neutrality Is Under Attack... Again" in The Huffington Post (8 November 2011)Read the whole statement

2010“Net neutrality is the First Amendment issue of our time.”In their words19 August 2010"Sen. Franken's Speech to Free Press Group in Minneapolis" (19 August 2010)Read the whole statement

2003“The biases the media has are much bigger than conservative or liberal. They're about getting ratings, about making money, about doing stories that are easy to cover.”In their wordsLies and the Lying Liars who Tell Them (2003)Read the whole statement

“If you listen to a lot of conservatives, they'll tell you that the difference between them and us is that conservatives love America and liberals hate America. ...”In their wordsLies: And the Lying Liars Who Tell Them (2003)Read the whole statement

2002“Mistakes are a part of being human. Appreciate your mistakes for what they are: precious life lessons that can only be learned the hard way.”In their wordsOh, the Things I Know (2002)Read the whole statement

1951Born21 May 1951

Also in Deutsch

Photos 11

Franken entertaining troops at Ramstein Air Base in December 2000

Franken with Senator Paul Simon in 1991

Franken playing Saddam Hussein while entertaining service members in Iraq (2005)

Franken campaigning for the U.S. Senate in 2008

Franken at an election rally with Hillary Clinton in October 2008

Franken meeting with Vice President Joe Biden in May 2009

In their own words 9

Al Franken

9 statements, newest first

In the United States of America, satire is protected speech, even if the object of the satire doesn’t get it.
Feb 2, 2017, As quoted in "The Trump Era Is Al Franken’s Time to Shine" by Graham Vyse, in New Republic (2 February 2017), Own words
Our laws need to reflect the evolution of technology and the changing expectations of American society. This is why the Constitution is often called a “living” document.
Mar 2, 2012, "Privacy and Civil Liberties in the Digital Age" in WIRED (2 March 2012), Own words
I've said that net neutrality is the most important free speech issue of our time. It's true.
Nov 8, 2011, "Net Neutrality Is Under Attack... Again" in The Huffington Post (8 November 2011), Own words