Hillsdale Dialogues – "Donald Trump's Path to Peace"

Podcast: Hillsdale Dialogues
Host: Hugh Hewitt
Guest: Dr. Larry P. Arnn (President, Hillsdale College)
Date: November 3, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode centers on the surprising diplomatic achievements of former President Donald Trump, specifically regarding a major ceasefire in the Middle East and the release of hostages held by Hamas. Hugh Hewitt and Larry Arnn analyze the mechanics and historical context of Trump's approach to peace, discuss the current political landscape in the U.S., reflect on the state and future of higher education, and close with light-hearted traditions at Hillsdale College.

Main Topics & Key Discussion Points

1. Donald Trump's Middle East Diplomacy and Hostage Release

Timestamp: 00:28 – 09:45

• Hugh Hewitt opens by noting Trump's unexpected success: negotiating peace in the Middle East and freeing 20 hostages from Hamas (00:28).
  • "President Trump brought peace to the Middle East, or at least a big ceasefire, and got 20 hostages out of the clutches of Hamas. And I did not, frankly, think that was possible." — Hugh Hewitt [00:28]
• Dr. Arnn credits Trump’s unique diplomatic style, likening it to his signature "art of the deal" approach—identifying pressure points and building cooperation between unlikely partners (Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, Israel).
  • “He’s pretty good at going around, talking to people and figuring out what they want and what they need and what their pressure points are.” [01:06]
  • Highlights the complexity and risks involved, including prisoner exchanges with serious security implications.
• Analysis of “madman theory” in foreign policy:
  • Hewitt references Dan Senor’s attribution of the “madman theory” to Netanyahu, noting its roots in Machiavelli and Nixon, and asks about unpredictability as a tool (02:26).
  • Dr. Arnn traces the theory back to Sun Tzu and other military thinkers: strategic unpredictability induces fear and caution in adversaries (03:33).
    • “Every profound writer on war has written one of the things you have to do is make them afraid.” — Dr. Larry Arnn [03:33]
• Netanyahu’s strategy: sophisticated and rooted in a practical understanding of despotism and asymmetric warfare.
  • The use of advanced tactics, like targeting adversaries through technology, creates fear and uncertainty among terrorist groups (04:31).

Notable Quotes

• “Unpredictability equals power.” — Hugh Hewitt [02:26]
• "...if a free and just country builds a powerful military, it's its purpose to make people afraid, in part because such countries tend not to want to fight wars.” — Dr. Larry Arnn [05:11]

2. The Legacy of Netanyahu and Regional Dynamics

Timestamp: 06:15 – 09:45

• Hewitt discusses Netanyahu’s divisiveness and predicts his reputation may rise over time, drawing a parallel with Churchill’s eulogy for Neville Chamberlain.
• Arnn explains that historical appreciation will depend on Israel’s future—strength, survival, or peace will shape how current leaders are judged (06:56).
  • “If Israel...were to be destroyed in the next 10 years, there’ll be plenty of blame for him. If it goes on to continued strength...people will look to his example and say, be ready, get ready to fight. Hurt them, seem mad sometimes.” [07:33]
• Regional fatigue with fanatics and weakening of radical actors (Assad, Iran, Hezbollah, Hamas) acknowledged, but both recognize persistent sources of instability (08:31–09:45).

3. U.S. Domestic Politics – Democratic Party and Protest Movements

Timestamp: 11:48 – 18:28

• Democratic setbacks and protest strategy:
  • Arnn sees experimentation on the left (shutdowns, “No Kings” rally) as a way to test and mobilize support ahead of midterms.
    • “They’re testing their strength in various ways to see what can work.” — Dr. Larry Arnn [12:40]
  • Notes a tactical, symbolic embrace of American traditions in protests (e.g., referencing the Declaration of Independence).
  • Peaceful demonstrations are now strategically emphasized after prior unrest proved politically costly.
• Political theory of regime change:
  • Arnn cites a claim that a peaceful demonstration with 3.5% of the population can effect regime change, but expresses skepticism (14:57).
• On “wokeness”:
  • Arnn observes a balancing act—while radical rhetoric questions American traditions, most closely contested U.S. politics involve both sides vying for legitimacy as the true heirs of those traditions (15:19).

Notable Quotes

• “Wokeness is crazy and it goes crazy against America... But more likely...its principles and institutions command loyalty.” — Dr. Larry Arnn [15:19]

4. State of Public Universities and Federal Oversight

Timestamp: 18:28 – 24:22

• Federal intervention:
  • Hewitt and Arnn discuss how the Department of Education has become a powerful force, citing recent funding withdrawals from Harvard over civil rights issues (20:00).
• Enduring challenges:
  • Arnn describes entrenched radicalism among faculty and the difficulty of enforcing order (21:06).
    • “Who has the authority to make radical students stop screaming dirty Jew at other students? ... It’s not clear.” [21:17]
  • Notes Department of Education and Department of Justice are pushing institutions to uphold their own stated principles.
• Tenure debate:
  • Hewitt advocates ending tenure to reform public universities. Arnn explains that existing procedures enable firing for genuine misconduct, but radicalism in the professoriate is the deeper problem (23:43).

Notable Quotes

• “Tenure is...depends on how you understand it. Right. What they have to get rid of is the radicalism of the professorial class.” — Dr. Larry Arnn [23:43]

5. The College Decision & The Value of Manual Arts

Timestamp: 26:04 – 32:54

• Declining ‘stigma’ on skipping college:
  • Victor Davis Hanson sees a cultural shift: college is no longer considered essential. Arnn agrees, having advocated for years that too many attend for the wrong reasons (27:04).
    • “High school is enough to give you an education for a lifetime of learning. ... College is for higher learning.” — Dr. Larry Arnn [27:04]
  • Notes Hillsdale’s K-12 charter initiative as a response.
• Value of manual competence:
  • Anecdotes about learning welding and engaging in hands-on projects; praise for trade schools.
  • Arnn’s family “tool brand wars” humorously illustrate a broader point: “Developing competence generally is important to a good human life...with your hands, too.” [29:56]

6. Campus Culture at Hillsdale – Halloween Traditions

Timestamp: 34:12 – 36:50

• Dr. Arnn describes how the college community hosts events for local children, such as “Trick or Trunk,” haunted houses, and communal festivities (34:12).
  • “Halloween is sort of contradictory of the idea of heaven, but it’s heaven. And the reason is Hillsdale is full of kids.” — Dr. Larry Arnn [34:12]
  • Playful stories: sword-fighting with grandchildren and haunted house scares.
• Emphasizes Hillsdale’s blend of hard work and genuine fun—a “party school” in the best sense.
  • “If a college is fun, it's the most fun. And our college is fun, and it's a party school, and that's off brand.” — Dr. Larry Arnn [35:59]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “Unpredictability equals power.” — Hugh Hewitt [02:26]
• “Every profound writer on war has written one of the things you have to do is make them afraid.” — Dr. Larry Arnn [03:33]
• “Wokeness is crazy and it goes crazy against America... But more likely... its principles and institutions command loyalty.” — Dr. Larry Arnn [15:19]
• “High school is enough to give you an education for a lifetime of learning. ... College is for higher learning.” — Dr. Larry Arnn [27:04]
• “If a college is fun, it's the most fun. And our college is fun, and it's a party school, and that's off brand.” — Dr. Larry Arnn [35:59]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Topic | Start | |------------------------------------------|---------| | Trump's Middle East Diplomacy | 00:28 | | Madman Theory & Israel’s Strategy | 02:26 | | Netanyahu’s Legacy & History’s Judgment | 06:15 | | Regional Outlook & Remaining Risks | 08:31 | | Democratic Politics & Protest Movements | 11:48 | | State (and Fate) of Higher Education | 18:28 | | Value of College v. Manual Arts | 26:04 | | Hillsdale Halloween Traditions | 34:12 |

Tone and Style

The tone is informed but conversational, blending deep philosophical and historical reflection with practical political analysis and personal anecdotes. There’s a sense of realism tempered by humor and an unabashed pride in Hillsdale’s unique academic and communal culture.

For more Hillsdale Dialogues, visit Podcast Hillsdale.edu.