by Tax Scandal: Blogger WhistlinDiesel Accuses Tennessee State Authorities of Unfair Play
A week after his unexpected arrest on suspicion of tax evasion, famous YouTuber Cody “WhistlinDiesel” Detweiler returned with new accusations against Tennessee state authorities. In his new video, he detailed the circumstances of the case involving his Ferrari F8, registered in Montana, and claims that the state’s actions were more than questionable.
The blogger’s main claims are:
Questions of Timing and Transparency
Detweiler states that his main argument is not simply the lack of prior contact from the state to settle tax matters before the arrest. He points to deliberate opacity. In a part of the video that was later edited, the blogger recounts that state representatives contacted his accountant a year ago. When the accountant asked if there were issues with the car’s registration and whether it should be transferred to Tennessee, the state’s response, according to Detweiler, was far from honest.
He references an agent’s note from the investigation report:
“I advised [the accountant] not to speak with Detweiler about our conversation and to leave the assets as is until the investigation is complete.”
Detweiler claims that officials deliberately dragged the issue out for months, waiting until they could obtain an indictment and appear at his house with officers wearing body cameras. “They picked the wrong guy to make an example of,” he says in the video, showing determination to fight.
An Attempt to Restrict Freedom of Speech?
If the arrest itself wasn’t enough, according to Detweiler, the state is now trying to push for a gag order. The authorities argue that his huge online audience could influence jurors or cause hostility towards government employees.
The blogger calls this step unconstitutional and believes it is a direct reaction to the public backlash after he exposed the case. “They are trying to make me shut up because they realized they were wrong,” he says, noting that such an order would prevent him from discussing the case, responding to accusations, or, crucially, monetizing any content related to the prosecution.
The hearing regarding the public speech restriction was scheduled for Monday, December 8. Whatever the outcome, it is unlikely to be the final word in this case.
@whistlindieselvsticktok3
(They are trying to make me shut up) I have a court hearing regarding my First Amendment right on 12/08/2025 at 09:00 AM CST. Court: Williamson – Circuit Criminal Address: 135 4th Ave S Just factual information ^
♬ original sound – Whistlindiesel
This story highlights the complex interaction between influencers with millions of followers and state institutions. It raises questions about the limits of social media’s influence on justice and how authorities respond to public pressure in the era of digital communications. The Detweiler case could become a precedent in defining the balance between online freedom of speech and judicial procedural norms, especially when one party possesses significant media power. The court’s reaction to the motion to restrict comments will show how traditional legal mechanisms are adapting to the new realities of publicity.
