Human Events with Jack Posobiec – December 23, 2025

Episode Theme:
The Demise of Performative Politics—Is Populist Energy Being Squandered?

Episode Overview

In this special episode recorded at AmFest, Jack Posobiec hosts a dynamic panel dissecting the state of American populism, the MAGA movement, and the role (or peril) of “performative politics” in 2025. Joined by Rich Barris (The People's Pundit), Joshua Lisec (renowned ghostwriter), and later Mark Mitchell (Rasmussen Reports pollster), the group delivers a candid—and at times fiery—discussion on whether populist politics rooted in authentic action is being undermined by empty rhetoric, and what the next moves must be to sustain the movement’s gains.

The conversation moves from voter frustration in the MAGA base to demographic realignments, the generational divide in the right, lessons from the Trump administration, and practical steps for activists. The episode is heavy with audience Q&A, giving voice to on-the-ground concerns about immigration, economic anxiety, messaging, and local activism.

Panel & Structure

• Host: Jack Posobiec
• Panelists: Rich Barris, Joshua Lisec, Mark Mitchell (joined later)

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Fatigue with “Performative Politics”

(04:41 – 08:44)

• Theme: Widespread disillusionment with politicians who talk but don’t deliver; demand for MAGA action over standard GOP rhetoric.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Who here is sick of all the talk with no action?... That’s 100%.” – Jack Posobiec (04:45)
  • "You go back to Ben Shapiro's version of the Republican Party and the Mitt Romney version of the Republican Party and you are cooked... you have to move forward with America first." – Rich Barris (13:51)

• Rich Barris’s Data:

  • Trump or bust voters are disinterested in GOP unless aligned with Trump-style action.
  • Initial Trump term saw huge approval; slip as administration lost focus.

2. Changing Voter Coalitions and the “New Populist”

(09:18 – 14:59)

• Panel explores:

  • The “Trump or bust” phenomenon: voters mobilized solely by Trump-style populism.
  • GOP can’t rely solely on winning over suburban voters or moderates.
  • Demographic and attitude shifts—Trump winning despite a “moderate” electorate.
  • Increasing alienation from institutions—courts, capitalism, education system.

• Notable Quote:

  • “They want not much to do with the Republican Party. They’ve seen the first year… they loved it. That’s why his approval was skyrocketing… There’s this frustration now because toward the end… they got a little bit sidelined.”—Rich Barris (07:43)

3. Generational Divide Among Right-Wing Voters

(16:18 – 21:32)

• Joshua Lisec’s View:

  • “Retribalizing” on the right post-2024—split among ‘America First’, ‘principles first’ types, and young right-wingers.
  • Younger voters want authenticity and action, not polish or performance.
  • For under-40/45 (elder millennial, Gen X, Gen Z), chief concern is economic struggle—“economics, economics, economics.”
  • Older voters more focused on foreign policy (support for Israel, Ukraine aid), while under-30s see Trump as centrist.

• Notable Quote:

  • "It does in fact seem that Twitter is real life… under 30 right-wing people, they describe President Donald J. Trump as centrist or a center left administration." – Joshua Lisec (18:00)

4. Resentment at Generational Inequity

(21:32 – 23:52)

• Under-50 voters feel they must struggle far more than previous generations for similar quality of life.

• Little attachment to “principled conservatism”; prefer action and results—even support directives that bypass Congress to address urgent problems.

• Panel references Trump’s “dictator for a day” comment—well received among the disaffected base.

• Notable Quote:

  • “They see the Congress as part of that deep state.” – Rich Barris (21:32)

5. Populism as a Double-Edged Sword

(23:52 – 34:43)

• Jack Posobiec cautions:

  • Populism can build or destroy: right-wing (Trump) populism aims to empower and prosper; left-wing populism can devolve into “grievance politics” and redistribution.
  • Leftward populism historically leads to social upheaval, anti-institutional rage.

• Notable Quote:

  • “Populism is a tool… if it moves to the left, it becomes extremely dangerous… grievance politics… instead of, we're going to build everything up… we're going to tear down everything that everyone's built.” – Jack Posobiec (24:39)

• Joshua Lisec supplies context:

  • Left “organizes the fringes,” agitating on grievances; right should focus on uplifting, accessible economic solutions.
  • “What do you want, let us help you get it”—that’s right-wing populism.

6. Immigration as the Central Motivator

(34:43 – 37:39)

• Panel and audience agree: visible, decisive action on immigration is biggest “turnout juice” for base.

• Panel laments drift of the left and special interests (unions, religious charities) now supporting mass immigration and alleged systemic abuses.

• Notable Quote:

  • "Nothing juices them more than immigration." —Rich Barris (34:46)
  • "Trump has popular support… to end every single program for the Somalis in this country to get them out." —Jack Posobiec (34:43)

7. Winning Non-Traditional Voters: The NYC Example

(36:35 – 37:39)

• Rich Barris recounts how Trump in NYC performed well among non-white voters suffering economic anxiety, sometimes also voting for left-wing populist candidates.

• The common link: candidates who promise tangible help, not abstract ideals.

• Panel Risk Warning:

  • Right-wing populism = growth/prosperity; left-wing = “democide… a pile of skulls and mass graves.” – Rich Barris/Jack Posobiec (37:39)

8. How Should Republicans Respond? Manhattan Project for Change

(41:48 – 47:20)

• Mark Mitchell's insight:

  • Approval ratings are not enough; action and vision are required to motivate a fracturing, pessimistic coalition.
  • “Only 27% of Americans think today's children will be better off than their parents… That’s horrifying.” (42:49)
  • Recommend the party acknowledge the depth of economic and generational crisis (“death of the American economy”) and develop new metrics for progress—median homebuyer age, wealth gaps, lived affordability.

• Barack Obama’s messaging remembered as a model: Lead with empathy and long-term vision, blaming opponents when appropriate, instead of “golden age is here already.” (46:30)

9. Practical Action for Activists

Audience Q&A: (47:21 – end)

• Panelists propose local activism over big-name political fights:

  • Get hyper-local: attend city/township meetings, pressure local office holders.
  • Run for office or organize “fear persuasion” on local officials (threaten electoral loss).
  • “Name and shame” unresponsive, entrenched officials—both leftist and RINO.

• Welfare and tax system reform cited as necessary issues to energize working/MAGA base.

• Notable Quotes:

  • “The best thing you can do is localize first.” —Joshua Lisec (57:25)
  • “Find the local communists in your area. Name and shame them. And by the way, find the local rhino in your area and name and shame all the rhinos as well.” —Jack Posobiec (59:12)

Notable Quotes (with Timestamps)

• On performative politics:

  • “Who here is sick of all the talk with no action? …That’s 100%.”
    – Jack Posobiec (04:45)

• On the danger of reverting to “establishment GOP”

  • “You go back to Ben Shapiro's version of the Republican Party and the Mitt Romney version… you are cooked. …If you want 78, 80 million votes, you have to move forward with America first.”
    – Rich Barris (13:51)

• On new populist voter profile:

  • “Trump won…in one of the most moderate electorates in our lifetime.” – Rich Barris (09:18)

• On generational splits:

  • “Twitter is real life… under 30 right-wing people, they describe President Donald J. Trump as centrist or a center left administration.”
    – Joshua Lisec (18:00)
  • “Under 50… feel like the 50 and over crowd had it really good and squandered it all… these younger voters do not [have that luxury].”
    – Rich Barris (21:32)

• On political efficacy:

  • “Populism is a tool…if it moves to the left, it becomes extremely dangerous…”
    – Jack Posobiec (24:39)

• On the need for empathetic messaging:

  • “You can’t go out there and pretend the golden age is here already… Obama blamed [his predecessor] for four years straight. Why? Because it works.”
    – Rich Barris (46:30)

• On local activism:

  • “The best thing you can do is localize first.”
    – Joshua Lisec (57:25)
  • “Name and shame these local officials. …They cannot stand mockery.”
    – Jack Posobiec (59:12)

Memorable Moments

• Audience “hand poll” on illegal immigration estimate:

  • Posobiec prompts audience: “Who thinks it’s only 10 million? 20? 30? …100?” Audience laughs as numbers keep rising. (32:29)

• Panel’s warning of “left-wing populism” finale:

  • “It always ends in a pile of skulls and mass graves and bones. That's where communism and Marxism always lead.” —Jack Posobiec (37:39)

• Candid admission on polling and base pessimism:

  • “When I see these fractures in the coalition…because if you don’t put them back, they’ll go somewhere…”
    – Rich Barris (41:27)

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Panel Introduction & Episode Theme: 03:37–05:26
• Demise of Performative Politics: 04:41–08:44
• Voter Coalition Deep Dive & Profiles: 08:44–14:59
• Populism’s Risks and Generational Trends: 19:30–23:52
• Audience Poll & Immigration Focus: 32:29–36:46
• NYC Non-Traditional Voters & Populism Risks: 36:46–37:51
• Panelist Mark Mitchell on Party Strategy: 41:48–45:14
• Economic Despair and Messaging Reset: 45:14–47:20
• Practical Q&A (Local Action, Messaging): 47:21–end

Final Takeaways

• The core MAGA/Trump base is at risk of demoralization and apathy if action doesn’t replace rhetoric—especially on economics and immigration.
• Younger right-wingers and working-class voters have little affection for old-guard “principled conservatism”; they want results and authenticity.
• Economic struggle and despair over the American future are dominant issues.
• Effective political strategy must focus on action, local activism, and empathetic messaging that acknowledges the gravity of the present crisis.
• "Populism" remains a potent, but perilous, force—its direction (uplifting vs. agitating) will shape the next political era.

Closing:
The episode ends with a call to action for local organizing, naming/shaming unresponsive officials, amplifying positive economic populist solutions, and reiterating the centrality of faith and community solidarity: “Let’s surround President Trump with support… Jesus Christ is king of the entire universe.” (62:27–62:49)