Quotation: "When the speech condemns a free press, you are hearing the words of a tyrant."

Variations: “Speech that condemns a free press are the words of a tyrant” [sic].

Sources consulted:

1. Founders Online
2. Thomas Jefferson Retirement papers

Earliest known appearance in print: N/A

Comments: This quotation has not been found in the writings of Thomas Jefferson.  Its earliest known appearance to date is a meme generated in late February 2017.1  It apparently spread from there to Twitter, with a few usages in March and then a flurry of appearances in late June and July 2017.  Its ultimate origin is unknown.2

Further Sources

• Thomas Jefferson Foundation. Quotes and Family Letters Database.  Search for Jefferson quotes by keyword or topic; quotes are vetted by Papers of Thomas Jefferson: Retirement Series editors.

• 1. Imgflip, "Thomas Jefferson Tyrant Quote."
• 2. The earliest located appearance on Twitter is March 7, 2017.