Podcast appearances and mentions of Victor Davis Hanson

Less than a week after Charlie Kirk's assassination, the Left has incessantly pushed several falsehoods about the horrific death of this young conservative leader and Turning Point USA co-founder. Charlie Kirk's assassination is NOT conservatives' "George Floyd moment." Not only does Kirk himself, a devout Christian, husband, and father of two, have nothing in common with Floyd but after his death, his followers channeled their anger toward fostering greater community and spirituality, not burning down historic churches, police precincts, and federal courthouses. Kirk's death is not the result of “Right on Right” violence. Bullet casings from the scene of the crime had anti-fascist phrases like “Hey fascist! CATCH!” and “Bella Ciao” written on them. The suspect in Kirk's assassination, Tyler Robinson, was in a romantic relationship with his roommate, a biological male who identifies as a girl, according to Utah Gov. Spencer Cox.  “So, the Left seized that moment and tried to push through agendas—and were successful—that otherwise would not have happened. Nobody's trying to do that now. "They're trying to commemorate Charlie Kirk by one positive way, and that is everybody go out and register to vote. Register as many people as you have. Register more people that are young and conservative than has ever been registered before. And then turn out in the November midterms in one year. And then do the impossible. Overturn historical precedent and elect a conservative House and Senate to empower a conservative Charlie Kirk agenda.”

Charlie Kirk knew the key to winning a generation to conservatism meant addressing the root cause of America's political problems: a cultural decay that has trapped young people in “prolonged adolescence.”   His solution was to champion cultural and economic values that are congruent with the founding principles of this nation and a flourishing society. On today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” Hanson explains how Kirk urged a generation to grow out of “prolonged adolescence,” rediscover marriage and family, and demand policies that make owning a home and raising children possible again—and why his legacy will be felt for years to come. “ We turned to common sense in half the country, but he was going as an emissary into hostile territory and telling people: ‘There is a reason why you're leaving in the millions. … We have to champion the idea that a two-parent family is not aberrant. It was the historical norm for 2,500 years. It's a good thing to have two or three children. It's a good thing to be a young person and wanna buy a house in your 20s and not in your 40s, or to have a child in your 20s and not in your late 30s.' Nothing wrong with the latter, but he was trying to offer a different paradigm that had proved successful.”

Charlie Kirk knew the key to winning a generation to conservatism meant addressing the root cause of America's political problems: a cultural decay that has trapped young people in “prolonged adolescence.” His solution was to champion cultural and economic values that are congruent with the founding principles of this nation and a flourishing society. On […]

CONTINUED Victor Davis Hanson's book, The Dying Citizen: How Progressive Elites, Tribalism, and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America, argues that the foundational principles of American citizenship and the nation's success are being eroded by these forces. A central theme of Hanson's work is the critical importance of the middle class, a concept he traces back to classical Greece and Rome. Drawing on Aristotle, Hanson highlights that a state's good fortune depends on citizens having "moderate and sufficient property," enabling autonomy and self-reliance. The middle class, combining "muscles with mind," traditionally served as the "soldiers of the republic" and were "skeptical of government." Unlike the poor, who risk dependency on "bread and circuses" from the government or wealthy patrons, or the rich, who "inevitably use their wealth to tamper with politics," the middle class is self-reliant and less susceptible to these extremes. This ideal, initially embodied by the independent farmer as envisioned by figures like Thomas Jefferson, was later translated into the "shopkeeper or the independent trucker or the traveling salesman" in post-industrial America, maintaining their autonomy. However, this middle class has recently experienced a decline in real wages, with any brief gains quickly eroded by inflation. Hanson posits that America is experiencing a "hollowing out" of its middle class, reminiscent of the decline of the Roman Empire, which was ultimately reduced to two classes: the extremely wealthy and those dependent on handouts. He cites California as a contemporary example, describing it as a "medieval society" with vast wealth alongside a dependent "peasant class," as millions of middle-class citizens have reportedly fled the state. The Obama administration's "Pajama Boy" and "Life of Julia" campaigns are presented as symbols of this shift, promoting a "nanny entitlement state" where the government provides for individuals from birth, reducing the need for traditional self-reliance, marriage, or property ownership. This, Hanson suggests, reflects a Democratic Party agenda that has "written off the working middle class" in favor of a "bicoastal elite" and big government. Globalization, particularly through immigration policy, is identified as another destructive force. The Hart-Celler Act of 1965 is criticized for dismantling meritocracy, prioritizing family relationships and proximity to the border over skills or English fluency. This, driven by an "unholy alliance" of the Democratic Party seeking new constituents and the Republican Party desiring cheap labor, has led to a massive influx of non-native-born and illegal residents. The Simpson-Mazzoli Act of 1986 also failed, as promises of border security were not kept, and employer verification mechanisms were easily circumvented. Hanson asserts that the absence of a secure border fundamentally undermines U.S. citizenship. He highlights how increased numbers of immigrants, coupled with lax voting laws, have politically impacted states like California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado, which have "flipped" to the Democratic Party. The desire for "dignity," as expressed by a legal immigrant named Mr. Rojas, underscores the allure of American equality compared to the social stratification in countries like Oaxaca, Mexico. Furthermore, Hanson addresses the rise of the "unelected," or "deep state," which he describes as a "permanent investigative bureaucratic class" with "contempt for the people" and an ability to undermine elected government. Examples range from the obscure Raisin Administrative Committee, which dictates what farmers can do with their crops, to high-ranking officials in agencies like the FBI and CIA who felt empowered to act outside accountability. The concept of "la resistance," adopted by some bureaucrats after Donald Trump's election, saw individuals like Kevin Clinesmith and "Anonymous" actively seeking to undermine the administration, with even a Georgetown Law Schoolprofessor, Rosa Brooks, publicly contemplating a military coup. Finally, Hanson criticizes the "nullification" of federal law, exemplified by "sanctuary cities" that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, creating an "asymmetrical" system where such actions are condoned for the left but condemned as "insurrection" for the right. He also argues that impeachment, designed as a constitutional check, has been "distorted" and "abused" into a political "campaign strategy," particularly in the two impeachments of Donald Trump. This has set a "terrible precedent," potentially leading to further political weaponization of constitutional mechanisms.

CONTINUED Victor Davis Hanson's book, The Dying Citizen: How Progressive Elites, Tribalism, and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America, argues that the foundational principles of American citizenship and the nation's success are being eroded by these forces. A central theme of Hanson's work is the critical importance of the middle class, a concept he traces back to classical Greece and Rome. Drawing on Aristotle, Hanson highlights that a state's good fortune depends on citizens having "moderate and sufficient property," enabling autonomy and self-reliance. The middle class, combining "muscles with mind," traditionally served as the "soldiers of the republic" and were "skeptical of government." Unlike the poor, who risk dependency on "bread and circuses" from the government or wealthy patrons, or the rich, who "inevitably use their wealth to tamper with politics," the middle class is self-reliant and less susceptible to these extremes. This ideal, initially embodied by the independent farmer as envisioned by figures like Thomas Jefferson, was later translated into the "shopkeeper or the independent trucker or the traveling salesman" in post-industrial America, maintaining their autonomy. However, this middle class has recently experienced a decline in real wages, with any brief gains quickly eroded by inflation. Hanson posits that America is experiencing a "hollowing out" of its middle class, reminiscent of the decline of the Roman Empire, which was ultimately reduced to two classes: the extremely wealthy and those dependent on handouts. He cites California as a contemporary example, describing it as a "medieval society" with vast wealth alongside a dependent "peasant class," as millions of middle-class citizens have reportedly fled the state. The Obama administration's "Pajama Boy" and "Life of Julia" campaigns are presented as symbols of this shift, promoting a "nanny entitlement state" where the government provides for individuals from birth, reducing the need for traditional self-reliance, marriage, or property ownership. This, Hanson suggests, reflects a Democratic Party agenda that has "written off the working middle class" in favor of a "bicoastal elite" and big government. Globalization, particularly through immigration policy, is identified as another destructive force. The Hart-Celler Act of 1965 is criticized for dismantling meritocracy, prioritizing family relationships and proximity to the border over skills or English fluency. This, driven by an "unholy alliance" of the Democratic Party seeking new constituents and the Republican Party desiring cheap labor, has led to a massive influx of non-native-born and illegal residents. The Simpson-Mazzoli Act of 1986 also failed, as promises of border security were not kept, and employer verification mechanisms were easily circumvented. Hanson asserts that the absence of a secure border fundamentally undermines U.S. citizenship. He highlights how increased numbers of immigrants, coupled with lax voting laws, have politically impacted states like California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado, which have "flipped" to the Democratic Party. The desire for "dignity," as expressed by a legal immigrant named Mr. Rojas, underscores the allure of American equality compared to the social stratification in countries like Oaxaca, Mexico. Furthermore, Hanson addresses the rise of the "unelected," or "deep state," which he describes as a "permanent investigative bureaucratic class" with "contempt for the people" and an ability to undermine elected government. Examples range from the obscure Raisin Administrative Committee, which dictates what farmers can do with their crops, to high-ranking officials in agencies like the FBI and CIA who felt empowered to act outside accountability. The concept of "la resistance," adopted by some bureaucrats after Donald Trump's election, saw individuals like Kevin Clinesmith and "Anonymous" actively seeking to undermine the administration, with even a Georgetown Law Schoolprofessor, Rosa Brooks, publicly contemplating a military coup. Finally, Hanson criticizes the "nullification" of federal law, exemplified by "sanctuary cities" that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, creating an "asymmetrical" system where such actions are condoned for the left but condemned as "insurrection" for the right. He also argues that impeachment, designed as a constitutional check, has been "distorted" and "abused" into a political "campaign strategy," particularly in the two impeachments of Donald Trump. This has set a "terrible precedent," potentially leading to further political weaponization of constitutional mechanisms.

CONTINUED Victor Davis Hanson's book, The Dying Citizen: How Progressive Elites, Tribalism, and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America, argues that the foundational principles of American citizenship and the nation's success are being eroded by these forces. A central theme of Hanson's work is the critical importance of the middle class, a concept he traces back to classical Greece and Rome. Drawing on Aristotle, Hanson highlights that a state's good fortune depends on citizens having "moderate and sufficient property," enabling autonomy and self-reliance. The middle class, combining "muscles with mind," traditionally served as the "soldiers of the republic" and were "skeptical of government." Unlike the poor, who risk dependency on "bread and circuses" from the government or wealthy patrons, or the rich, who "inevitably use their wealth to tamper with politics," the middle class is self-reliant and less susceptible to these extremes. This ideal, initially embodied by the independent farmer as envisioned by figures like Thomas Jefferson, was later translated into the "shopkeeper or the independent trucker or the traveling salesman" in post-industrial America, maintaining their autonomy. However, this middle class has recently experienced a decline in real wages, with any brief gains quickly eroded by inflation. Hanson posits that America is experiencing a "hollowing out" of its middle class, reminiscent of the decline of the Roman Empire, which was ultimately reduced to two classes: the extremely wealthy and those dependent on handouts. He cites California as a contemporary example, describing it as a "medieval society" with vast wealth alongside a dependent "peasant class," as millions of middle-class citizens have reportedly fled the state. The Obama administration's "Pajama Boy" and "Life of Julia" campaigns are presented as symbols of this shift, promoting a "nanny entitlement state" where the government provides for individuals from birth, reducing the need for traditional self-reliance, marriage, or property ownership. This, Hanson suggests, reflects a Democratic Party agenda that has "written off the working middle class" in favor of a "bicoastal elite" and big government. Globalization, particularly through immigration policy, is identified as another destructive force. The Hart-Celler Act of 1965 is criticized for dismantling meritocracy, prioritizing family relationships and proximity to the border over skills or English fluency. This, driven by an "unholy alliance" of the Democratic Party seeking new constituents and the Republican Party desiring cheap labor, has led to a massive influx of non-native-born and illegal residents. The Simpson-Mazzoli Act of 1986 also failed, as promises of border security were not kept, and employer verification mechanisms were easily circumvented. Hanson asserts that the absence of a secure border fundamentally undermines U.S. citizenship. He highlights how increased numbers of immigrants, coupled with lax voting laws, have politically impacted states like California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado, which have "flipped" to the Democratic Party. The desire for "dignity," as expressed by a legal immigrant named Mr. Rojas, underscores the allure of American equality compared to the social stratification in countries like Oaxaca, Mexico. Furthermore, Hanson addresses the rise of the "unelected," or "deep state," which he describes as a "permanent investigative bureaucratic class" with "contempt for the people" and an ability to undermine elected government. Examples range from the obscure Raisin Administrative Committee, which dictates what farmers can do with their crops, to high-ranking officials in agencies like the FBI and CIA who felt empowered to act outside accountability. The concept of "la resistance," adopted by some bureaucrats after Donald Trump's election, saw individuals like Kevin Clinesmith and "Anonymous" actively seeking to undermine the administration, with even a Georgetown Law Schoolprofessor, Rosa Brooks, publicly contemplating a military coup. Finally, Hanson criticizes the "nullification" of federal law, exemplified by "sanctuary cities" that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, creating an "asymmetrical" system where such actions are condoned for the left but condemned as "insurrection" for the right. He also argues that impeachment, designed as a constitutional check, has been "distorted" and "abused" into a political "campaign strategy," particularly in the two impeachments of Donald Trump. This has set a "terrible precedent," potentially leading to further political weaponization of constitutional mechanisms.

CONTINUED Victor Davis Hanson's book, The Dying Citizen: How Progressive Elites, Tribalism, and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America, argues that the foundational principles of American citizenship and the nation's success are being eroded by these forces. A central theme of Hanson's work is the critical importance of the middle class, a concept he traces back to classical Greece and Rome. Drawing on Aristotle, Hanson highlights that a state's good fortune depends on citizens having "moderate and sufficient property," enabling autonomy and self-reliance. The middle class, combining "muscles with mind," traditionally served as the "soldiers of the republic" and were "skeptical of government." Unlike the poor, who risk dependency on "bread and circuses" from the government or wealthy patrons, or the rich, who "inevitably use their wealth to tamper with politics," the middle class is self-reliant and less susceptible to these extremes. This ideal, initially embodied by the independent farmer as envisioned by figures like Thomas Jefferson, was later translated into the "shopkeeper or the independent trucker or the traveling salesman" in post-industrial America, maintaining their autonomy. However, this middle class has recently experienced a decline in real wages, with any brief gains quickly eroded by inflation. Hanson posits that America is experiencing a "hollowing out" of its middle class, reminiscent of the decline of the Roman Empire, which was ultimately reduced to two classes: the extremely wealthy and those dependent on handouts. He cites California as a contemporary example, describing it as a "medieval society" with vast wealth alongside a dependent "peasant class," as millions of middle-class citizens have reportedly fled the state. The Obama administration's "Pajama Boy" and "Life of Julia" campaigns are presented as symbols of this shift, promoting a "nanny entitlement state" where the government provides for individuals from birth, reducing the need for traditional self-reliance, marriage, or property ownership. This, Hanson suggests, reflects a Democratic Party agenda that has "written off the working middle class" in favor of a "bicoastal elite" and big government. Globalization, particularly through immigration policy, is identified as another destructive force. The Hart-Celler Act of 1965 is criticized for dismantling meritocracy, prioritizing family relationships and proximity to the border over skills or English fluency. This, driven by an "unholy alliance" of the Democratic Party seeking new constituents and the Republican Party desiring cheap labor, has led to a massive influx of non-native-born and illegal residents. The Simpson-Mazzoli Act of 1986 also failed, as promises of border security were not kept, and employer verification mechanisms were easily circumvented. Hanson asserts that the absence of a secure border fundamentally undermines U.S. citizenship. He highlights how increased numbers of immigrants, coupled with lax voting laws, have politically impacted states like California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado, which have "flipped" to the Democratic Party. The desire for "dignity," as expressed by a legal immigrant named Mr. Rojas, underscores the allure of American equality compared to the social stratification in countries like Oaxaca, Mexico. Furthermore, Hanson addresses the rise of the "unelected," or "deep state," which he describes as a "permanent investigative bureaucratic class" with "contempt for the people" and an ability to undermine elected government. Examples range from the obscure Raisin Administrative Committee, which dictates what farmers can do with their crops, to high-ranking officials in agencies like the FBI and CIA who felt empowered to act outside accountability. The concept of "la resistance," adopted by some bureaucrats after Donald Trump's election, saw individuals like Kevin Clinesmith and "Anonymous" actively seeking to undermine the administration, with even a Georgetown Law Schoolprofessor, Rosa Brooks, publicly contemplating a military coup. Finally, Hanson criticizes the "nullification" of federal law, exemplified by "sanctuary cities" that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, creating an "asymmetrical" system where such actions are condoned for the left but condemned as "insurrection" for the right. He also argues that impeachment, designed as a constitutional check, has been "distorted" and "abused" into a political "campaign strategy," particularly in the two impeachments of Donald Trump. This has set a "terrible precedent," potentially leading to further political weaponization of constitutional mechanisms.

CONTINUED Victor Davis Hanson's book, The Dying Citizen: How Progressive Elites, Tribalism, and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America, argues that the foundational principles of American citizenship and the nation's success are being eroded by these forces. A central theme of Hanson's work is the critical importance of the middle class, a concept he traces back to classical Greece and Rome. Drawing on Aristotle, Hanson highlights that a state's good fortune depends on citizens having "moderate and sufficient property," enabling autonomy and self-reliance. The middle class, combining "muscles with mind," traditionally served as the "soldiers of the republic" and were "skeptical of government." Unlike the poor, who risk dependency on "bread and circuses" from the government or wealthy patrons, or the rich, who "inevitably use their wealth to tamper with politics," the middle class is self-reliant and less susceptible to these extremes. This ideal, initially embodied by the independent farmer as envisioned by figures like Thomas Jefferson, was later translated into the "shopkeeper or the independent trucker or the traveling salesman" in post-industrial America, maintaining their autonomy. However, this middle class has recently experienced a decline in real wages, with any brief gains quickly eroded by inflation. Hanson posits that America is experiencing a "hollowing out" of its middle class, reminiscent of the decline of the Roman Empire, which was ultimately reduced to two classes: the extremely wealthy and those dependent on handouts. He cites California as a contemporary example, describing it as a "medieval society" with vast wealth alongside a dependent "peasant class," as millions of middle-class citizens have reportedly fled the state. The Obama administration's "Pajama Boy" and "Life of Julia" campaigns are presented as symbols of this shift, promoting a "nanny entitlement state" where the government provides for individuals from birth, reducing the need for traditional self-reliance, marriage, or property ownership. This, Hanson suggests, reflects a Democratic Party agenda that has "written off the working middle class" in favor of a "bicoastal elite" and big government. Globalization, particularly through immigration policy, is identified as another destructive force. The Hart-Celler Act of 1965 is criticized for dismantling meritocracy, prioritizing family relationships and proximity to the border over skills or English fluency. This, driven by an "unholy alliance" of the Democratic Party seeking new constituents and the Republican Party desiring cheap labor, has led to a massive influx of non-native-born and illegal residents. The Simpson-Mazzoli Act of 1986 also failed, as promises of border security were not kept, and employer verification mechanisms were easily circumvented. Hanson asserts that the absence of a secure border fundamentally undermines U.S. citizenship. He highlights how increased numbers of immigrants, coupled with lax voting laws, have politically impacted states like California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado, which have "flipped" to the Democratic Party. The desire for "dignity," as expressed by a legal immigrant named Mr. Rojas, underscores the allure of American equality compared to the social stratification in countries like Oaxaca, Mexico. Furthermore, Hanson addresses the rise of the "unelected," or "deep state," which he describes as a "permanent investigative bureaucratic class" with "contempt for the people" and an ability to undermine elected government. Examples range from the obscure Raisin Administrative Committee, which dictates what farmers can do with their crops, to high-ranking officials in agencies like the FBI and CIA who felt empowered to act outside accountability. The concept of "la resistance," adopted by some bureaucrats after Donald Trump's election, saw individuals like Kevin Clinesmith and "Anonymous" actively seeking to undermine the administration, with even a Georgetown Law Schoolprofessor, Rosa Brooks, publicly contemplating a military coup. Finally, Hanson criticizes the "nullification" of federal law, exemplified by "sanctuary cities" that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, creating an "asymmetrical" system where such actions are condoned for the left but condemned as "insurrection" for the right. He also argues that impeachment, designed as a constitutional check, has been "distorted" and "abused" into a political "campaign strategy," particularly in the two impeachments of Donald Trump. This has set a "terrible precedent," potentially leading to further political weaponization of constitutional mechanisms.

CONTINUED Victor Davis Hanson's book, The Dying Citizen: How Progressive Elites, Tribalism, and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America, argues that the foundational principles of American citizenship and the nation's success are being eroded by these forces. A central theme of Hanson's work is the critical importance of the middle class, a concept he traces back to classical Greece and Rome. Drawing on Aristotle, Hanson highlights that a state's good fortune depends on citizens having "moderate and sufficient property," enabling autonomy and self-reliance. The middle class, combining "muscles with mind," traditionally served as the "soldiers of the republic" and were "skeptical of government." Unlike the poor, who risk dependency on "bread and circuses" from the government or wealthy patrons, or the rich, who "inevitably use their wealth to tamper with politics," the middle class is self-reliant and less susceptible to these extremes. This ideal, initially embodied by the independent farmer as envisioned by figures like Thomas Jefferson, was later translated into the "shopkeeper or the independent trucker or the traveling salesman" in post-industrial America, maintaining their autonomy. However, this middle class has recently experienced a decline in real wages, with any brief gains quickly eroded by inflation. Hanson posits that America is experiencing a "hollowing out" of its middle class, reminiscent of the decline of the Roman Empire, which was ultimately reduced to two classes: the extremely wealthy and those dependent on handouts. He cites California as a contemporary example, describing it as a "medieval society" with vast wealth alongside a dependent "peasant class," as millions of middle-class citizens have reportedly fled the state. The Obama administration's "Pajama Boy" and "Life of Julia" campaigns are presented as symbols of this shift, promoting a "nanny entitlement state" where the government provides for individuals from birth, reducing the need for traditional self-reliance, marriage, or property ownership. This, Hanson suggests, reflects a Democratic Party agenda that has "written off the working middle class" in favor of a "bicoastal elite" and big government. Globalization, particularly through immigration policy, is identified as another destructive force. The Hart-Celler Act of 1965 is criticized for dismantling meritocracy, prioritizing family relationships and proximity to the border over skills or English fluency. This, driven by an "unholy alliance" of the Democratic Party seeking new constituents and the Republican Party desiring cheap labor, has led to a massive influx of non-native-born and illegal residents. The Simpson-Mazzoli Act of 1986 also failed, as promises of border security were not kept, and employer verification mechanisms were easily circumvented. Hanson asserts that the absence of a secure border fundamentally undermines U.S. citizenship. He highlights how increased numbers of immigrants, coupled with lax voting laws, have politically impacted states like California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado, which have "flipped" to the Democratic Party. The desire for "dignity," as expressed by a legal immigrant named Mr. Rojas, underscores the allure of American equality compared to the social stratification in countries like Oaxaca, Mexico. Furthermore, Hanson addresses the rise of the "unelected," or "deep state," which he describes as a "permanent investigative bureaucratic class" with "contempt for the people" and an ability to undermine elected government. Examples range from the obscure Raisin Administrative Committee, which dictates what farmers can do with their crops, to high-ranking officials in agencies like the FBI and CIA who felt empowered to act outside accountability. The concept of "la resistance," adopted by some bureaucrats after Donald Trump's election, saw individuals like Kevin Clinesmith and "Anonymous" actively seeking to undermine the administration, with even a Georgetown Law Schoolprofessor, Rosa Brooks, publicly contemplating a military coup. Finally, Hanson criticizes the "nullification" of federal law, exemplified by "sanctuary cities" that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, creating an "asymmetrical" system where such actions are condoned for the left but condemned as "insurrection" for the right. He also argues that impeachment, designed as a constitutional check, has been "distorted" and "abused" into a political "campaign strategy," particularly in the two impeachments of Donald Trump. This has set a "terrible precedent," potentially leading to further political weaponization of constitutional mechanisms.

CONTINUED Victor Davis Hanson's book, The Dying Citizen: How Progressive Elites, Tribalism, and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America, argues that the foundational principles of American citizenship and the nation's success are being eroded by these forces. A central theme of Hanson's work is the critical importance of the middle class, a concept he traces back to classical Greece and Rome. Drawing on Aristotle, Hanson highlights that a state's good fortune depends on citizens having "moderate and sufficient property," enabling autonomy and self-reliance. The middle class, combining "muscles with mind," traditionally served as the "soldiers of the republic" and were "skeptical of government." Unlike the poor, who risk dependency on "bread and circuses" from the government or wealthy patrons, or the rich, who "inevitably use their wealth to tamper with politics," the middle class is self-reliant and less susceptible to these extremes. This ideal, initially embodied by the independent farmer as envisioned by figures like Thomas Jefferson, was later translated into the "shopkeeper or the independent trucker or the traveling salesman" in post-industrial America, maintaining their autonomy. However, this middle class has recently experienced a decline in real wages, with any brief gains quickly eroded by inflation. Hanson posits that America is experiencing a "hollowing out" of its middle class, reminiscent of the decline of the Roman Empire, which was ultimately reduced to two classes: the extremely wealthy and those dependent on handouts. He cites California as a contemporary example, describing it as a "medieval society" with vast wealth alongside a dependent "peasant class," as millions of middle-class citizens have reportedly fled the state. The Obama administration's "Pajama Boy" and "Life of Julia" campaigns are presented as symbols of this shift, promoting a "nanny entitlement state" where the government provides for individuals from birth, reducing the need for traditional self-reliance, marriage, or property ownership. This, Hanson suggests, reflects a Democratic Party agenda that has "written off the working middle class" in favor of a "bicoastal elite" and big government. Globalization, particularly through immigration policy, is identified as another destructive force. The Hart-Celler Act of 1965 is criticized for dismantling meritocracy, prioritizing family relationships and proximity to the border over skills or English fluency. This, driven by an "unholy alliance" of the Democratic Party seeking new constituents and the Republican Party desiring cheap labor, has led to a massive influx of non-native-born and illegal residents. The Simpson-Mazzoli Act of 1986 also failed, as promises of border security were not kept, and employer verification mechanisms were easily circumvented. Hanson asserts that the absence of a secure border fundamentally undermines U.S. citizenship. He highlights how increased numbers of immigrants, coupled with lax voting laws, have politically impacted states like California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado, which have "flipped" to the Democratic Party. The desire for "dignity," as expressed by a legal immigrant named Mr. Rojas, underscores the allure of American equality compared to the social stratification in countries like Oaxaca, Mexico. Furthermore, Hanson addresses the rise of the "unelected," or "deep state," which he describes as a "permanent investigative bureaucratic class" with "contempt for the people" and an ability to undermine elected government. Examples range from the obscure Raisin Administrative Committee, which dictates what farmers can do with their crops, to high-ranking officials in agencies like the FBI and CIA who felt empowered to act outside accountability. The concept of "la resistance," adopted by some bureaucrats after Donald Trump's election, saw individuals like Kevin Clinesmith and "Anonymous" actively seeking to undermine the administration, with even a Georgetown Law Schoolprofessor, Rosa Brooks, publicly contemplating a military coup. Finally, Hanson criticizes the "nullification" of federal law, exemplified by "sanctuary cities" that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, creating an "asymmetrical" system where such actions are condoned for the left but condemned as "insurrection" for the right. He also argues that impeachment, designed as a constitutional check, has been "distorted" and "abused" into a political "campaign strategy," particularly in the two impeachments of Donald Trump. This has set a "terrible precedent," potentially leading to further political weaponization of constitutional mechanisms.

CONTINUED Victor Davis Hanson's book, The Dying Citizen: How Progressive Elites, Tribalism, and Globalization Are Destroying the Idea of America, argues that the foundational principles of American citizenship and the nation's success are being eroded by these forces. A central theme of Hanson's work is the critical importance of the middle class, a concept he traces back to classical Greece and Rome. Drawing on Aristotle, Hanson highlights that a state's good fortune depends on citizens having "moderate and sufficient property," enabling autonomy and self-reliance. The middle class, combining "muscles with mind," traditionally served as the "soldiers of the republic" and were "skeptical of government." Unlike the poor, who risk dependency on "bread and circuses" from the government or wealthy patrons, or the rich, who "inevitably use their wealth to tamper with politics," the middle class is self-reliant and less susceptible to these extremes. This ideal, initially embodied by the independent farmer as envisioned by figures like Thomas Jefferson, was later translated into the "shopkeeper or the independent trucker or the traveling salesman" in post-industrial America, maintaining their autonomy. However, this middle class has recently experienced a decline in real wages, with any brief gains quickly eroded by inflation. Hanson posits that America is experiencing a "hollowing out" of its middle class, reminiscent of the decline of the Roman Empire, which was ultimately reduced to two classes: the extremely wealthy and those dependent on handouts. He cites California as a contemporary example, describing it as a "medieval society" with vast wealth alongside a dependent "peasant class," as millions of middle-class citizens have reportedly fled the state. The Obama administration's "Pajama Boy" and "Life of Julia" campaigns are presented as symbols of this shift, promoting a "nanny entitlement state" where the government provides for individuals from birth, reducing the need for traditional self-reliance, marriage, or property ownership. This, Hanson suggests, reflects a Democratic Party agenda that has "written off the working middle class" in favor of a "bicoastal elite" and big government. Globalization, particularly through immigration policy, is identified as another destructive force. The Hart-Celler Act of 1965 is criticized for dismantling meritocracy, prioritizing family relationships and proximity to the border over skills or English fluency. This, driven by an "unholy alliance" of the Democratic Party seeking new constituents and the Republican Party desiring cheap labor, has led to a massive influx of non-native-born and illegal residents. The Simpson-Mazzoli Act of 1986 also failed, as promises of border security were not kept, and employer verification mechanisms were easily circumvented. Hanson asserts that the absence of a secure border fundamentally undermines U.S. citizenship. He highlights how increased numbers of immigrants, coupled with lax voting laws, have politically impacted states like California, Nevada, New Mexico, and Colorado, which have "flipped" to the Democratic Party. The desire for "dignity," as expressed by a legal immigrant named Mr. Rojas, underscores the allure of American equality compared to the social stratification in countries like Oaxaca, Mexico. Furthermore, Hanson addresses the rise of the "unelected," or "deep state," which he describes as a "permanent investigative bureaucratic class" with "contempt for the people" and an ability to undermine elected government. Examples range from the obscure Raisin Administrative Committee, which dictates what farmers can do with their crops, to high-ranking officials in agencies like the FBI and CIA who felt empowered to act outside accountability. The concept of "la resistance," adopted by some bureaucrats after Donald Trump's election, saw individuals like Kevin Clinesmith and "Anonymous" actively seeking to undermine the administration, with even a Georgetown Law Schoolprofessor, Rosa Brooks, publicly contemplating a military coup. Finally, Hanson criticizes the "nullification" of federal law, exemplified by "sanctuary cities" that refuse to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement, creating an "asymmetrical" system where such actions are condoned for the left but condemned as "insurrection" for the right. He also argues that impeachment, designed as a constitutional check, has been "distorted" and "abused" into a political "campaign strategy," particularly in the two impeachments of Donald Trump. This has set a "terrible precedent," potentially leading to further political weaponization of constitutional mechanisms.

Victor Davis Hanson and co-host Sami Winc discuss the implications of the recent murder of Iryna Zarutska, Israel's hit on Hamas leaders in Qatar, Homan's interview with Mika, Russian drones in Polish airspace, and Britain's Nigel Farage grows in popularity, and more in the Friday news roundup.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Charlie Kirk shaped modern conservatism and reached youth in ways no one else could—and that's precisely what made him so dangerous to the Left.   The trailblazing 31-year-old activist and commentator who founded Turning Point USA was regularly smeared as a “fascist,” a “Nazi,” and a “threat to democracy” by the Left. It was only a matter of time until a crazed person put those words into action. On today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” Hanson pays tribute to Kirk and explains how his death is more than just a personal loss; it signals a dangerous new era where political violence is becoming normalized. “ He connected with people. He had a podcast. He was an extemporaneous speaker. He could ad lib. He wrote columns. He was fearless. He was—he registered voters. He might have been more responsible for winning key states than any other political activists in the 2024 election. I don't think anybody in our generation—I'm speaking my generation—could have done what he did. “ We are legitimizing political violence. If you call someone day after day after day, "white, white, white, white"; "racist, racist, racist"; "fascist, fascist, fascist"; "Nazi, Nazi, Nazi"—we hear that from Joy Reid. We see it on "The View." We see it on MSNBC. Even just seconds after Charlie died, we had Matthew Dowd go on and basically said that he got what he deserved because he was an extremist, etc., and he and you "live by the sword, die by the sword" sort of argument he used.”

Charlie Kirk shaped modern conservatism and reached youth in ways no one else could—and that's precisely what made him so dangerous to the Left. The trailblazing 31-year-old activist and commentator who founded Turning Point USA was regularly smeared as a “fascist,” a “Nazi,” and a “threat to democracy” by the Left. It was only a […]

Europe, the United States, and other like-minded Western countries are facing four “self-inflicted wounds.”   These “Four Horsemen of the Western Civilization Apocalypse” didn't arrive overnight.   At the turn of the 20th century, Western elites thought that they could create “heaven on Earth” by moving away from fossil fuels, allowing open borders, and embracing […]

Hugh talks about Charlie Kirk and his remarkable rise and horrific assassination. Victor Davis Hanson joined Hugh to add his historian’s thoughts —and as another friend of Charlie.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Europe, the United States, and other like-minded Western countries are facing four “self-inflicted wounds.” These “Four Horsemen of the Western Civilization Apocalypse” didn't arrive overnight. At the turn of the 20th century, Western elites thought that they could create "heaven on Earth” by moving away from fossil fuels, allowing open borders, and embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion. Results? Skyrocketing fuel costs, which have in turn destroyed the “ viability of the middle classes that are now in revolt,” millions of unassimilated Islamic refugees, plummeting fertility rates, and the beginnings of tribalism, argues Victor Davis Hanson on today's edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.”

It's been a whirlwind first few months of Trump 2.0, but he and Republicans need to stay focused on the next big election: midterms 2026.   Victor Davis Hanson reviews the first months of the Trump administration—highlighting successes that critics said were impossible—and identifies three areas for caution.

Megyn Kelly covers the breaking news of the assassination of Charlie Kirk on a Utah college campus during a Turning Point event - tragically dead at 31-years-old. She reflects on his legacy and on today's horrifying developments with Glenn Beck, Victor Davis Hanson, Mark Halperin, Emily Jashinsky, Rich Lowry, Vivek Ramaswamy, and Father Mike Schmitz.

FAN MAIL--We would love YOUR feedback--Send us a Text MessageThe staggering scale of World War II's devastation remains difficult to comprehend even decades later. In just six years and one day, humanity's deadliest conflict claimed between 60-65 million lives—roughly 3% of the world's 1939 population and more deaths than occurred in three centuries of warfare combined.Drawing from Victor Davis Hanson's masterful "The Second World Wars," this episode explores the uncomfortable truth that most Americans overlook: approximately 40 million of these deaths were Chinese and Russian civilians killed by German and Japanese forces. For the first time in history, a major war saw civilian casualties vastly outnumber military deaths, as populations became legitimate targets for elimination under the cloak of conflict.What made this war uniquely lethal? Seven critical factors converged: a larger global population, industrially advanced combatants, unprecedented technological lethality, totalitarian ideologies that justified mass killing, military technology favoring offense over defense, the war's extended duration, and the deliberate targeting of civilian populations. Beyond combat, over 20 million people starved to death or perished from treatable illnesses. The capitulation of trapped armies sent approximately 10 million into prisoner-of-war camps, where more than half died—deaths often forgotten in conventional accounts.At its core, this catastrophic human toll stemmed from the fundamental failure to see others as fellow humans deserving dignity. Perhaps most chilling was what Hanson identifies as the "willful blindness" and "general indifference" that enabled atrocities on an industrial scale. As Jews disappeared from communities across Europe, most neighbors chose not to question how or where they had gone.Understanding this history isn't merely academic—it serves as a vital reminder of our fallen human nature's darker potential and how quickly radical, dehumanizing ideologies can create hell on earth. Take time today to remember, to learn from history, and to recognize the profound importance of viewing every person as your neighbor.Key Points from the Episode:• Most Americans fail to understand that 40 million of the 60 million deaths were Chinese and Russian civilian casualties• Seven factors made WWII uniquely devastating, including population size, technological advances, and ideological extremism• For the first time in history, civilian fatalities far outnumbered military deaths in a major conflict• The war's horrors stemmed from dehumanization and widespread indifference to the fate of targeted groups• Over 20 million people starved to death or died from treatable illnesses during the conflict• Of the 10 million sent to prisoner-of-war camps, more than half perishedLet us read history and always remember. We owe it to generations past to understand the philosophies that led to these horrific killings, and to keep fighting the good fight.Other resources: Want to leave a review? Click here, and if we earned a five-star review from you **high five and knuckle bumps**, we appreciate it greatly!

Andy Huggins, introduction, Serenity Prayer, patriotic song, Varney and Company, Jordan Peterson, Jerry Wayne, motivation, meditation, Victor Davis Hanson, Varney and Company, JD Vance interview, conclusionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-true-conservative--2039343/support.

Johnny Carson, introduction, Serenity Prayer, patriotic song, Varney and Company, Dr Berg, Victor Davis Hanson, Machiavelli, motivation, meditation, Dark Triad, Moral Politics, conclusionBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-true-conservative--2039343/support.

President Donald Trump held a tech summit last week where a number of notable tech CEOs and gurus—who previously were vehement opponents of Trump—met at the White House. This included former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, members of Google, and more. It's a quid pro quo: If major tech companies stop offshoring and start investing billions of dollars in the U.S. and create jobs, then Trump will approve their investments, productions, and use of greater energy sources. Victor Davis Hanson breaks it all down and explains how this move is similar to what former President Franklin Delano Roosevelt did when World War II broke out on today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.”  “These CEOs don't like Trump. They're opposed to him ideologically, but they have one thing in common: They're patriotic.”  “Maybe, just maybe, Trump can do for the United States in these emerging, absolutely essential fields of artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency, robotics, genetic engineering what FDR did in the War Production Board.”

President Donald Trump held a tech summit last week where a number of notable tech CEOs and gurus—who previously were vehement opponents of Trump—met at the White House. This included former Microsoft CEO Bill Gates, Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg, members of Google, and more.   It's a quid pro quo: If major tech companies stop […]

But it's not just congressional Democrats on offense, as his own family is blasting him as an “embarrassment.” Victor Davis Hanson breaks down the Kennedy family's hypocrisy—especially considering their silence on Ted Kennedy's Chappaquiddick scandal and JFK's infidelities—on today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.”   “ This is the irony. What is […]

For the past dozen years, Hoover's online publication Strategika has examined contemporary conflicts and national security challenges by assembling academics of varied thought to re-examine past struggles. On the occasion of its 100th issue, historian Victor Davis Hanson, Hoover's Martin and Ilie Anderson senior fellow and the man tasked with bringing the publication to life, discusses the institution's growing commitment to the study of history (Hoover's having a compliment of historians rivaling that of world-class universities) and how a Strategika-like approach explains complicated conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza. Also discussed: how Victor's passion for military history stems from his male ancestors' involvement in two world wars, his thoughts on how best to introduce young learners to classical opuses, plus the problem of university history departments discouraging intellectual diversity. Celebrate Strategika's 100th issue titled, The Current Status of Military History, by exploring the full collection of essays here. For more episodes of Matters of Policy & Politics, subscribe here.   

But it's not just congressional Democrats on offense, as his own family is blasting him as an “embarrassment.” Victor Davis Hanson breaks down the Kennedy family's hypocrisy—especially considering their silence on Ted Kennedy's Chappaquiddick scandal and JFK's infidelities—on today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” “ This is the irony. What is an embarrassment to the Kennedy family was not Bobby Jr. working for Donald Trump. It really wasn't. It was Ted Kennedy in 1969: a U.S. senator driving off a bridge with Mary Jo Kopechne, allowing her to drown in the car, and then for 24 hours, trying to fabricate a narrative that was completely a lie so he could get out of responsibility. And then using the Kennedy money and leverage in Massachusetts to get off with this, with no criminal exposure at all. A woman was killed. And yet, no one—none of the Kennedys said that he was a predator or he embarrassed them. “ You know what else is an embarrassment right now that Caroline Kennedy should be worried about? Her son, Jack Schlossberg. What has he done? He gets on social media, he made fun of Melania Trump's voice the other day and tried to wear a wig and ridicule her.”

FAN MAIL--We would love YOUR feedback--Send us a Text MessageGermany's defeat in World War II wasn't merely a matter of battlefield losses but rather a predictable outcome rooted in fundamental strategic, economic, and leadership failures. Drawing from Victor Davis Hanson's masterful analysis in "The Second World Wars," this episode reveals the three decisive factors that sealed Nazi Germany's fate from the beginning.The first fatal flaw was Germany's profound economic weakness. Despite creating Europe's most formidable military machine, Germany simply lacked the industrial capacity to sustain a global conflict against enemies with vastly superior resources. The production disparities were staggering—by 1945, America's GDP alone exceeded all Axis powers combined. While German engineers developed advanced weapons, their resource constraints prevented effective mass production, creating an insurmountable disadvantage against Allied manufacturing might.Hitler's strategic overreach represents perhaps his most catastrophic error. After succeeding in limited border wars against weaker European states between 1939-1941, Hitler transformed what should have remained regional conflicts into a global war Germany couldn't possibly win. The critical turning point came with Operation Barbarossa in June 1941—invading the Soviet Union while still fighting Britain—a decision Hanson calls "probably the biggest blunder in military history." When Hitler then declared war on America following Pearl Harbor, he ensured Germany would face enemies whose combined population and industrial capacity made Allied victory mathematically inevitable.Most damning was Hitler's own strategic incompetence. Having never visited America, Britain, or Russia, he made decisions based on maps rather than understanding of terrain, climate, or logistics. He routinely overruled his generals, diverted resources from military objectives to implement the Holocaust, and relied on emotional fantasy rather than strategic reality. As Hanson notes, Hitler had "no blueprint to end the war-making power" of his enemies, dooming Germany from the moment he abandoned limited objectives for impossible global ambitions. Key Points from the Episode:• Economic weakness and limited industrial capacity made Germany unable to sustain a prolonged global conflict• By 1945, US GDP alone exceeded all Axis powers combined, creating an insurmountable production advantage• Operation Barbarossa created a fatal two-front war while Germany was still fighting Britain• Hitler's declaration of war against America brought the world's largest industrial power into the conflict• German forces lacked critical resources, especially oil, while facing enemies with superior manufacturing capabilities• Hitler had never visited America, Britain or Russia - the very countries he chose to fight• Resources were diverted from military objectives to implement the Holocaust• Germany's early victories (1939-1941) created a dangerous illusion of invincibility• The war was preventable, facilitated by Soviet collusion, American isolationism, and British-French appeasement• Once Allied industrial potential fully mobilized by 1942-43, Germany's defeat was mathematically certainBe sure to check out our show page at teammojoacademy.com, where we have everything we discussed in this podcast, as well as other great resources.Other resources: Liberty Minute #62--An Empire of WealthWant to leave a review? Click here, and if we earned a five-star review from you **high five and knuckle bumps**, we appreciate it greatl

Britain has seen an influx of illegal immigrants from the Islamic Middle East, often without proper background checks. Scandals involving Pakistani immigrants grooming young girls went largely ignored by authorities due to fears of political backlash. Ordinary citizens face harassment for expressing patriotism, even as immigrant communities display cultural or political symbols freely.   Victor Davis Hanson explains that this crisis is part of a larger European problem, and how the social, demographic, and political pressures facing Britain and Europe threaten the stability of their nations on today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” “They've had a series of controversies and incidents and scandals in which Pakistani illegal immigrants have been grooming young British girls in the sex trades. And this was apparently known to authorities. But they felt that it was politically correct, in the age of DEI and woke, to seriously pursue any legal ramifications, until the public was outraged. “And this is in addition to the beginning of massive demonstrations, on the part of the British, Scottish, Irish, Welsh public, to perceived indifference from the United Kingdom Labour Party to the plight of their own citizens. In other words, they're censoring thought, dissent of British citizens, but not in the same manner they are of illegal aliens. And this translates into some very Orwellian and absurd incidents.”

In this episode Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler discuss the implications of Trump's proposal to increase Chinese student enrollment in American universities, including concerns about espionage and national security, the cultural and moral decline in Western societies, flag burning, the state of the Virginia gubernatorial race, and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

“World War II was a brilliant work of American strategy, productivity, and courage and sacrifice. And the result was we destroyed the greatest threat to mankind, and we did it as economically as we could in American cost and lives,” Victor Davis Hanson says. He also addresses why the U.S. allied with the Soviet Union during the war: "We fought World War II and won the war, and we came away with losing very few soldiers. At the end of the war, the Soviet Union had no intention … of honoring their commitments made both at Yalta and then before the Japanese theater had ended at Potsdam. “But nevertheless, when the war was over, the United States was the preeminent power in the world—except for Britain—had lost fewer combatants than any of the major three allies, Britain, the United States, Russia, and China as well, and had lost fewer than Japan and Germany. “So, we fought that war very economically by giving material aid to the Soviet Union, who used their manpower and lost 20 million people to kill three out of every four German soldiers. “That's not an argument that you like the Soviet Union. I detest the Soviet Union. But it's an argument that in the ability of the United States to defeat Germany in 1941, it was a wise military strategy to use a third party to kill the German army, kill it off, and that's what happened, it was a success."

Victor Davis Hanson explains why this was not simply a tragedy, but an act of evil, and why the media and political leaders refuse to have an honest discussion about the factors behind it on today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” “They won't have any discussion over transgenderism. This falls in the broader category of exempt DEI woke topics, but I think we should talk about this. This is the fourth or fifth incident—I don't even like the word "incident"—occurrence of transgendered shooters who are protected by authorities. “We were told, "Be careful about Big Pharma. Be careful about Big Med." All of those worries and prohibitions and cautions were thrown out the window, as were SSRI antidepressants. These were selective serotonin prohibitors. In other words, they altered the chemistry of the brain, supposedly, to correct mental disturbances, depression, bipolarity. But they're very dangerous drugs. But when it came to the exempt topic of transgenderism, suddenly the society was supposed to accept that this was not a mental disorder. It was not a rare occurrence. It was a national crisis where large percentages of the population were transgendering.”

-Victor Davis Hanson warns that Democrats' unprecedented attacks on Trump—from ballot challenges to assassination attempts—are backfiring. -Daniel Lipman (Politico) joins via the Newsmax hotline, discussing Trump's resilience, the Ukraine–Russia stalemate, and Democrat reactions to crime reductions in D.C. and Chicago Today's podcast is sponsored by : BIRCH GOLD - Protect and grow your retirement savings with gold. Text ROB to 98 98 98 for your FREE information kit! To call in and speak with Rob Carson live on the show, dial 1-800-922-6680 between the hours of 12 Noon and 3:00 pm Eastern Time Monday through Friday…E-mail Rob Carson at : RobCarsonShow@gmail.com Musical parodies provided by Jim Gossett (www.patreon.com/JimGossettComedy) Listen to Newsmax LIVE and see our entire podcast lineup at http://Newsmax.com/Listen Make the switch to NEWSMAX today! Get your 15 day free trial of NEWSMAX+ at http://NewsmaxPlus.com Looking for NEWSMAX caps, tees, mugs & more? Check out the Newsmax merchandise shop at : http://nws.mx/shop Follow NEWSMAX on Social Media:  -Facebook: http://nws.mx/FB  -X/Twitter: http://nws.mx/twitter -Instagram: http://nws.mx/IG -YouTube: https://youtube.com/NewsmaxTV -Rumble: https://rumble.com/c/NewsmaxTV -TRUTH Social: https://truthsocial.com/@NEWSMAX -GETTR: https://gettr.com/user/newsmax -Threads: http://threads.net/@NEWSMAX  -Telegram: http://t.me/newsmax  -BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/newsmax.com -Parler: http://app.parler.com/newsmax Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Since striking Iran's nuclear sites and military personnel last June, America and Israel have brought the Islamic regime to its knees. A web of paranoia, triggered by Israel's systematic dismantling of Iran's terrorist surrogates and in-country air defense systems, has caused the regime to lash out against an already wary population.   The Obama-Biden administration tried for years to position Iran, and its surrogates, as a “counterweight” to Israel and the more moderate Arab countries in the region, favoring neither one side nor the other. President Donald Trump's strike on Iran and subsequent sanctions have tipped the scales in favor of Israel and the more moderate Middle East regimes. “ We don't have to be the instigators. We don't have to stage coups. All we have to do is turn up the heat and let this pot boil over. And boil over it will,” argues Victor Davis Hanson on today's edition of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.”

FAN MAIL--We would love YOUR feedback--Send us a Text MessageWhat catastrophic miscalculations led to Japan's defeat in World War II? This episode dives deep into the strategic blunders, economic impossibilities, and cultural misunderstandings that sealed Japan's fate long before the atomic bombs fell.Drawing on historian Victor Davis Hanson's meticulous research from his book "The Second World Wars", we explore how Japan's military planners fundamentally misunderstood American resolve and industrial capacity. When the US imposed oil sanctions in 1941, cutting off 93% of Japan's petroleum supply, Japanese leadership faced an impossible choice: abandon imperial ambitions or attack the very nations that supplied their essential resources. Their decision to strike Pearl Harbor, intended to demoralize Americans, instead awakened the world's most formidable industrial power.The numbers tell a devastating story. Japan began the war with only 18 months of oil reserves, depending on conquered territories that ultimately supplied just 35% of their needs. By 1944, American submarines and bombers ensured only half of this vital resource reached the Japanese homeland. Meanwhile, America's production juggernaut created an insurmountable advantage, manufacturing more Essex-class carriers, submarines, and bombers than Japan could ever hope to counter. As Hanson notes, the question wasn't whether Allied bombers could be shot down, but whether Japan could stop the production of 40,000 four-engine heavy bombers lighting up their homeland.Japan's defeat reminds us that military power ultimately rests on economic foundations, and that strategic decisions based on cultural misunderstandings and wishful thinking lead to disaster. Key Points from the Episode:• Japan's formal surrender on September 2, 1945 marked the end of WWII after fighting for 8-14 years depending on whether you count from 1931 or 1937• The US oil embargo of 1941 cut off 93% of Japan's oil supply, creating a desperate "now or never" mentality that led to Pearl Harbor• Japan completely misread American resolve and industrial potential, mistaking prosperity for weakness• Japanese leaders developed racist assumptions about Americans, failing to understand the industrial tiger they would awaken• Japan's economy was structured only for regional conflict but attempted to fight a global war• By 1943, American production capabilities were overwhelming Japanese resources• Japan lacked a coherent grand strategy, with competing service branches pursuing contradictory objectives• The loss of experienced pilots at Midway created a downward spiral in naval aviation that Japan never recovered from• Japan's defensive strategy of making island conquests costly ultimately backfired by eliminating the possibility of negotiated peaceKeep fighting the good fight and join us at teammojoacademy.com for additional resources from this episode.Other resources: Want to leave a review? Click here, and if we earned a five-star review from you **high five and knuckle bumps**, we appreciate it greatly, thank you so much!

Victor Davis Hanson interviews Dr. Seb Gorka, discussing the significant changes in national security and counterterrorism under the Trump administration, the historical context of Trump's presidency, the disruption of the post-war order, and the ongoing threats posed by Iran and global terrorism, and much more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the Victor Davis Hanson Show, Victor Davis Hanson examine assertions regarding World War II made by David Collum during an interview with Tucker Carlson, the unseemly antics of JFK's grandson, the left's struggle with language, tensions with India, and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mass protests are erupting in Britain, Germany, and the Netherlands over unchecked migration and crime. Leaders like German Chancellor Friedrich Merz admit that their welfare states can no longer sustain massive entitlement spending for migrants who entered illegally.   Victor Davis Hanson lays out why Europe's future hangs in the balance and what steps it must take to restore stability, security, and common sense on today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” “The whole socialist paradigm is not producing goods and service that allow such general entitlements. The borders are insecure. Illegal immigrants are not assimilated, acculturated, integrated into the German, French, European body politic. And they're gonna have a terrible time spending 5% of GDP to defend themselves. This is in addition to having to lower their $200 billion surplus with the United States. “We know what Europe has to do. It has to return to commonsense energy policies; use their natural gas, use oil, to the extent they have it; build nuclear plants; be competitive on the world market, in terms of energy cost. They need to secure their borders. They need to have legal-only immigration. They need to prune back the state, the socialist state. Can they do it?”

“Crime apologist” is not a strong enough term to describe the hysteria and vitriol that's infected the modern-day Left.   For the sake of ideology, left-wing leaders and activists are willing to sacrifice public safety and justice—from sanctuary cities releasing violent offenders to outrage over federal intervention that actually reduced crime in Washington, D.C. Victor Davis Hanson warns of the dire consequences of this mindset if left unchecked on today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” “ Do you remember the UnitedHealthcare CEO, Brian Thompson? He was a person from the middle class, was born without status or advantages or money, and he worked himself up to the leadership position of one of the largest health care concerns in the United States. And Luigi Mangione—a 25- or 26-year-old wealthy, well-educated kid, high status, privileged—decided that he was an enemy of the people because health care was not universal and UnitedHealthcare may have refused coverage to certain people in need. So, he decided he was going to kill him. And he did kill him. He murdered him. It's on tape. And what was the reaction of the Left? Some on the left canonized him. 

On today's Top News in 10, we cover: President Trump's 7th cabinet meeting brings a bevy of updates from Russia to the Fed. Democrats and Legacy Media officials claim Trump's crime policies, economic policies, and every other kind of policies are built on hating black people, leading to a potential midterm crisis. Check Out the Full Interview with Victor Davis Hanson here: https://www.youtube.com/live/iKkORqDeoj4 Keep Up With The Daily Signal Sign up for our email newsletters:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.dailysignal.com/email⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠     Subscribe to our other shows:  The Tony Kinnett Cast: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/7AFk8xjiOOBEynVg3JiN6g⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  The Signal Sitdown: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://megaphone.link/THEDAILYSIGNAL2026390376⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Problematic Women:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://megaphone.link/THEDAILYSIGNAL7765680741⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Victor Davis Hanson: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://megaphone.link/THEDAILYSIGNAL9809784327⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Follow The Daily Signal:  X:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://x.com/intent/user?screen_name=DailySignal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Instagram:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.instagram.com/thedailysignal/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Facebook:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://www.facebook.com/TheDailySignalNews/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  Truth Social:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://truthsocial.com/@DailySignal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  YouTube:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.youtube.com/dailysignal?sub_confirmation=1⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠    Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform and never miss an episode. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of the Victor Davis Hanson Show, Victor Davis Hanson and host Jack Fowler discuss the raid on John Bolton's house, the Cracker Barrel logo change, male cheerleaders in the NFL, the hot water James Comey finds himself in, and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

India's growing population, economic strength, and position as an English-speaking counterweight to China should make it a perfect partner for America.   So, why isn't it?   On today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words,” Hanson explains how trade disputes, tariffs, and India's continued purchases of Russian oil have strained ties. Instead of strengthening bonds with America, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is moving closer to both Russia and China. “It should be a very profitable relationship, especially for India to have all of its citizens free to come to the United States. And millions apparently do and they get billions of dollars in remittances. They run a trade surplus with us. And we have a lot of commonalities as English-speaking democracies. But we're not. And so, why aren't we? One of the greatest problems is Donald Trump slapped a tariff. And he said, ‘India's tariffs are too high.' And they replied, ‘Well, if you look at services and the other intangibles that I mentioned, maybe it's not that bad. And we're working on it.' But Trump really did put high tariffs on India.”

From Bolton's role in the Trump administration to prior warnings from a federal judge about his handling of sensitive information and why the DOJ under Biden dropped its earlier investigation, Victor Davis Hanson unpacks the full backstory behind the raid on today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” “ When Donald Trump's home was raided on August 9th, 2022, John Bolton spoke out. And he said, ‘Let's not prejudge, you,' basically, you pro-Trumpers, ‘let's just let all the evidence, you know, be seen before we make snap judgments.' Meaning, you know, he's probably guilty. But more importantly, then he said, ‘Donald Trump was just—anything that came across his desk. He saw french fries, he got 'em. He saw classified documents, he did, just because he could.' And then on another occasion, ‘He has no respect for classification. And that's a lie, that he personally classified these.'  So he was very critical of anybody who objected to what he thought was an FBI, legitimate raid on Mar-a-Lago. Now it's ironic. We'll see if he uses the same tropes and themes to protect himself in the way that he blasted Trump about a similar raid.”

What distinguishes an American from somebody who merely lives in the U.S.? Why is ownership so important to a functional republic? Are the Democrats politically finished? Classics professor Victor Davis Hanson is one of the most brilliant thinkers in American life and joins to discuss how the party of the left has lost the votes of those with children and the "lunch bucket middle class." Plus, Charlie remembers the legacy of Dr. James Dobson and speaks with viral young black conservative Mat Nuclear. Watch every episode ad-free on members.charliekirk.com! Get new merch at charliekirkstore.com!Support the show: http://www.charliekirk.com/supportSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Victor Davis Hanson sits down with Senator Eric Schmitt of Missouri to discuss his new book, The Last Line of Defense: How to Beat the Left in Court. The two delve into the shifting political landscape of Missouri, the implications of recent elections, and the strategies Republicans can employ to navigate the judiciary. Schmitt shares insights from his experience as Attorney General and emphasizes the importance of courage in the face of legal challenges.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

This type of rhetoric, embraced by DEI ideology, is nothing short of racial essentialism—and dangerously divisive.   Victor Davis Hanson explains why such rhetoric threatens America's identity as a successful multiracial democracy—and why ethnic and racial chauvinism must be rejected—on today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.”   “Joy Reid is basically saying that black people are cognitively superior to other people. I wish this was an isolated incident. But remember, we've had this controversy before, about the president of Sacramento State, Luke Wood, who, in his past, was an African American intellectual activist, as he self-describes himself. And he said he wanted to ”eliminate”—that's a bad word to use, given the history of it in the 20th century—“eliminate whiteness.” Again, no repercussions.   “We have zero tolerance when racists, who are white, say such things about other groups. But in a truly multiracial, tolerant society, people who not only attack a group, collectively, and stereotype it, but they do so from positions of influence and power—like The New Yorker magazine or a former MSNBC anchor—they can do a great deal of damage, unless they're called out for it.”

In this episode, Victor Davis Hanson and co-host Jack Fowler talk about the summit involving Trump, Zelensky, and European leaders, the implications of U.S. foreign policy, the perception of American leadership, race and crime in America, and the role of the FBI in political accountability, and more. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Recently, an illegal alien pulled an illegal U-turn on the Florida Turnpike, resulting in a crash that killed three innocent people. The man, identified as Harjinder Singh, was issued a driver's license by the state of California despite failing basic questions on his driver's test.    Victor Davis Hanson explains how California's refusal to enforce immigration law and its dangerous trucking conditions create chaos on the roads—and why these failures don't stay contained within the state's borders—on today's episode of “Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words.” “ What was very disturbing was the expression on Mr. Singh's face. It was calm. He looked around. It was almost as if, ‘Oh. I made a U-turn. Somebody hit my truck. I wonder what happened?' He didn't get out and try to help anybody. He stood at the side of the road, finally. But why was he driving? He was driving because California issued him a license when they knew he was an unlawful resident of the United States and he was not proficient in English, at least enough to be able to read rudimentary traffic signs and signals. In other words, he killed three people. “This man was not a U.S. citizen. He was not here legally, and he could not read or write English, apparently. And the wages of that, we found out in Florida, were the death of three innocent people. And no remorse. No apologies on the part of California or Gavin Newsom. Bottom line: California is dangerous to itself, in a myriad of ways, but it's also dangerous to everybody outside of California because its pathologies are not contained within its borders.”

Victor Davis Hanson talks with Barry Strauss about "Jews Vs Rome: Two Centuries of Rebellion Against the World's Mightiest Empire” scheduled for release August 19, 2025. They talk about revolts of Masada, Bar Kokhba, and other resistance, plus the historical relevance to the current state of Israel's geopolitics.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this weekend episode of the Victor Davis Hanson show, topics covered in depth include Mexican president Sheinbaum's remarks on immigration and fentanyl, the issue of race and crime in urban areas, and an appraisal of the second Gulf War, and more.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.