Not really. NB: A lie is more than a factually inaccurate, incorrect, etc. statement.

Yes, really. Even knowingly lying (see many politicians like all the time) is protected.

I wouldn't go so far as saying lying is protected speech, as in many specific scenarios where lying is a crime (lying on your tax return, lying under oath, etc) *Opinions* are protected speech. Even when they are false. False statements, even intentional ones, aren't criminal in most circumstances

Fraud is not protected. But lying is not = to fraud.

False statements can be criminal, so long as all the elements are met/satisfied. See, e.g., 18 USC 1001. The falsity of the statement, while necessary, isn't the more necessary element. Prosecutorial discretion also plays a big role re 'it's not a crime' factor. Also, think tortious speech.

I meant false statements aren't criminal in most cases but can be, as I already stated lying can be a crime We can't really say lying is protected speech bcuz there's no case law specifically defining lying as protected speech under 1A

Lying by and large can't be regulated by law except under specific narrowly-defined circumstances (defamation, 18 USC 2001, etc) bcuz such law would often infringe upon other protected speech. But that doesn't mean lying itself is protected speech

Your 'knowingly lying' tells us that your view of a lie probably incorrect/incomplete. That said, show us an example or two of that which you describe. Yes - Political speech does enjoy greater protections than non-political speech. But, there are limits to those protections.

No, what it tells me is you don’t know what you’re talking about.