Matter of Opinion: The Highbrow and Lowbrow of the Trump Era
Release Date: December 6, 2024
Host/Authors: Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat, Carlos Lozada

Introduction

In the December 6, 2024 episode of Matter of Opinion, hosts Michelle Cottle, Ross Douthat, and Carlos Lozada delve into the intricate relationship between politics and culture during the Trump era. Moving beyond their usual political discourse, the trio explores how Trump's resurgence has influenced various facets of American art, media, and societal narratives.

Cultural Artifacts Symbolizing the Trump Era

Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water

Ross Douthat initiates the discussion by highlighting Guillermo del Toro's The Shape of Water (2017) as a quintessential cultural artifact of the early Trump era. He argues that the film embodies the "oppositional culture" that reacted against Trump's rise, portraying a coalition of marginalized identities standing against oppressive forces.

"This movie represents how Wokeness conceived of itself in the Trump era, as this kind of alliance of minority groups and identities united in defense against white male McCarthyite heteronormative patriarchy."
— Ross Douthat [05:09]

Carlos Lozada critiques the film's perceived didacticism, while Michelle Cottle interjects with practical frustrations, reflecting the podcast's dynamic interplay.

Yellowstone: A Red State Succession

Michelle Cottle counters Ross's highbrow example with the television series Yellowstone (2018), portraying it as a representation of traditional American values under threat from modernity and external forces. The show, centered on the Dutton family led by Kevin Costner, resonates with many for its themes of land, tradition, and resistance against change.

"It's a story of a ranching family whose traditions are besieged by progress, developers, and politicians. This resonates with many who feel left behind by modern America."
— Michelle Cottle [08:11]

Ross adds depth by discussing creator Taylor Sheridan's intentions to balance sympathetic portrayals of both cowboys and Native Americans, challenging simplistic interpretations of the show.

"Yellowstone contains complexities that help sustain and push Trumpism, balancing anti-establishment sentiments with nuanced characterizations."
— Ross Douthat [11:44]

Exploring White Fragility and Anti-Racism Narratives

Carlos Lozada shifts the conversation to literature, focusing on Robin DiAngelo's White Fragility (2018). He critiques the book for its "over simplicity" and self-defeating logic, suggesting it became a cultural touchstone of peak anti-racism discourse during the Trump era.

"Any dissent from white fragility as a concept is itself white fragility, creating a circular logic that sustains its dominance in cultural conversations."
— Carlos Lozada [15:01]

Michelle and Ross discuss the broader impact of such narratives, noting how they became status symbols and influenced various aspects of pop culture, including shifts in Disney's portrayal of villains and the nature of antagonistic forces in contemporary media.

Comparing Obama and Trump Era Cultures

The hosts examine the transition from Obama-era cultural optimism, exemplified by productions like Hamilton and Glee, to the more contentious Trump-era narratives. Ross points out the stark contrast between the inclusive representation in Hamilton and the divisive themes in Trump-era works.

"Hamilton represents a claim to American greatness by diverse actors, contrasting sharply with the reevaluated, often critical portrayals of American history during the Trump era."
— Ross Douthat [19:47]

Carlos adds that certain shows like Ozark reflect the era's complexity, though opinions on their alignment with Trumpism vary among the hosts.

Literature Reflecting Trump-Era Themes

Carlos Lozada highlights contemporary novels that encapsulate Trump-era sentiments without overt preaching. He mentions Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead and Percival Everett's Erasure, both of which explore themes of identity, race, and societal pressures in nuanced ways.

"These novels navigate the complexities of identity politics and societal expectations, mirroring the cultural tensions of the Trump era."
— Carlos Lozada [28:53]

Ross draws parallels to international authors like Michel Houellebecq, suggesting that while American literature grapples with Trumpism, it often lags in capturing its full essence compared to broader global perspectives.

Trump as the American Hustler Archetype

Ross introduces the concept of Trump embodying the quintessential American hustler, a shift from previous presidential archetypes like Reagan's more formal persona. This characterization aligns with a cultural fascination with celebrity and self-made personas.

"Trump is history, you know, in a golf cart. He embodies the spirit of the age, both a cause and an effect of cultural shifts."
— Ross Douthat [37:01]

Michelle concurs, emphasizing America's obsession with celebrity and how Trump's persona as a showman has reshaped perceptions of political leadership.

"He was a character before he was president. The reason he gets away with a lot is because people think of him first as a celebrity and a character."
— Michelle Cottle [36:36]

Culture Influencing Politics vs. Politics Influencing Culture

The discussion culminates in examining whether Trump is a cause or a reflection of cultural shifts. The hosts agree that Trump's persona is both a product and a driver of cultural changes, encapsulating the era's complexities.

"Trump is both a cause and effect at the same time. He is history, you know, in a golf cart."
— Ross Douthat [37:01]

Michelle beautifully summarizes this interplay, suggesting that Trump's existence and cultural embodiment are inseparable, influencing and being influenced by the prevailing societal ethos.

"He embodies the spirit of the age."
— Ross Douthat [37:08]

Hot & Cold Segment: Celebrating and Critiquing "Last Christmas"

In the episode's lighter segment, Hot & Cold, Michelle and Carlos discuss Wham!'s "Last Christmas," celebrating its nostalgic value while acknowledging its enduring cheesiness. Ross humorously reflects on the song's deep cultural implantation despite generational gaps.

"It's a testament to the song's success that it's so implanted in American culture that it feels like it has always existed."
— Ross Douthat [40:41]

The segment underscores the podcast's ability to balance serious cultural analysis with playful commentary, wrapping up the episode on a festive note.

Conclusion

The episode of Matter of Opinion offers a comprehensive exploration of how the Trump era has shaped and been shaped by American culture. Through discussions on film, literature, television, and music, the hosts illuminate the multifaceted interplay between political climates and cultural expressions, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of this transformative period.

Notable Quotes:

• "This movie represents how Wokeness conceived of itself in the Trump era, as this kind of alliance of minority groups and identities united in defense against white male McCarthyite heteronormative patriarchy."
  — Ross Douthat [05:09]

• "It's a story of a ranching family whose traditions are besieged by progress, developers, and politicians. This resonates with many who feel left behind by modern America."
  — Michelle Cottle [08:11]

• "Any dissent from white fragility as a concept is itself white fragility, creating a circular logic that sustains its dominance in cultural conversations."
  — Carlos Lozada [15:01]

• "Trump is both a cause and effect at the same time. He is history, you know, in a golf cart."
  — Ross Douthat [37:01]

• "He was a character before he was president. The reason he gets away with a lot is because people think of him first as a celebrity and a character."
  — Michelle Cottle [36:36]

Note: This summary intentionally omits advertisements, intros, outros, and non-content sections to focus solely on the episode's substantive discussions.