The Josh Hammer Show
Episode Title: CPAC 2026 and the Fight for the Conservative Soul
Date: March 26, 2026
Host: Josh Hammer
Guest: Coach Bruce Pearl

Episode Overview

In this episode, Josh Hammer broadcasts from Texas, where he is speaking at CPAC 2026. The episode centers on the ideological crossroads facing the modern conservative movement and the crucial choices leaders must make to secure its future. Hammer explores foundational conservative principles, questions about the direction of key organizations like CPAC and Turning Point USA, and discusses the ongoing conflict with Iran. NCAA basketball coach and political commentator Bruce Pearl joins as a guest to share geopolitical insights, discuss US-Israel relations, and talk March Madness. Hammer closes with a segment on recent landmark jury verdicts against Big Tech companies.

Key Discussion Points

1. The State and Soul of American Conservatism

(00:36 – 13:14)

• Hammer at CPAC: Josh shares his mindset heading into his CPAC speech, focusing on the pivotal moment for conservatism and the importance of anchoring principles.
• Defining Conservatism: Hammer argues against the trend of rebranding conservatism to chase popularity, clout, or financial gain:
  • “What it means to be a conservative… is not infinitely malleable. This is not an all options are equal sort of calculation.” (03:00)
  • Cites Alexander Hamilton (Federalist Papers #31) on the necessity of starting with “primary truths or first principles.”
• Critique of Conservative Institutions: Calls out CPAC, Turning Point USA, and individuals like Joe Kent for diluting principles for personal gain.
• Call to Action: Urges the movement to hold fast to its biblical inheritance and foundational values, even as tactics may need to evolve:
  • “It is crucial that we choose correctly and that we choose timeless principles and values.” (08:57)

2. War Against the Iranian Regime

(08:40 – 24:16)

• Context: The war against Iran is portrayed as a 47-year struggle—the "forever war," with Trump seen as uniquely consistent in confronting Iran.

• International Involvement: The UAE and Saudi Arabia are “all in” on the US-Israel anti-Iranian coalition.

  • “Mohammed bin Salman, the crown prince... is apparently telling Donald Trump privately to keep your foot on the gas pedal.” (11:28)

• Media Narrative: Hammer criticizes those who characterize the conflict as being forced by Israel, clarifying the region’s dynamics:

  • “It’s not like the Jews, the Israelis, as some of these idiots say, force his hand.” (09:50)

• Interview – Coach Bruce Pearl on Iran (14:20)

  • Draws parallels between appeasement of Iran and pre-WWII appeasement of Hitler.
  • Criticizes past US administrations for empowering Iran, praises Trump’s hardline approach.
  • “You give the exact same answer, but they just won’t listen. We are in a much better place right now than we were before.” (17:10)
  • Stresses need for resolve: “We just got to hang in there until it’s done.” (17:38)

• Defining Victory in Iran

  • Pearl: “They want the United States and Israel to continue until this threat is either eliminated or so weakened that it gives some form of opposition in Iran the opportunity to become more of a normalized country. That’s what Saudi Arabia wants as well.” (19:08)
  • Emphasizes need for regime change or significant diminishment of Iran’s capabilities.
  • Defends US military engagement as essential for national and allied security.

3. US-Israel Alliance, Anti-Semitism, and Public Life

(24:16 – 27:47)

• Coach Pearl on US-Israel Alliance:
  • Israel is “America’s most valuable ally” and stands by the US in war, unlike some European nations.
  • Hammer asks if Pearl’s political stances affect his sports broadcasting roles.
  • Pearl responds candidly about facing backlash but remains unapologetic:
    • “I took a great deal of hate and of course I get all kinds of threats… but I give both CBS and Turner Sports credit for saying, ‘Coach, just be yourself when you’re off the court.’” (25:43)
  • Shares his transition from coaching to advocacy, motivated by concern for America and the safety of Jewish people globally.

4. March Madness and the Joys of College Basketball

(27:47 – 33:22)

• Hammer and Pearl discuss the essence of the NCAA tournament:
  • Pearl describes March Madness’ unique, high-stakes format—single elimination, “anything can happen.”
    • “What makes it different is, it’s 40 minutes. The game that High Point beat Wisconsin—Wisconsin is going to beat High Point seven out of ten times. And that’s what makes it so very special.” (28:56)
  • The emotional end for players and teams after elimination: “Tomorrow your life is completely different. That family that you, that blood, sweat, and tears with for the last 11 and a half months… it’s now going to be different. And that’s emotional, that’s sad. And that’s why we call it one shining moment when you’re able to survive and advance.” (30:22)
  • Predictions for the Final Four, key coaches, and teams to watch—shout-out to St. John’s, Arizona, Michigan, and Houston.
    • “I picked St. John’s and the upset from the beginning… Michigan State to me and St. John’s look like the two hottest teams going in.” (31:44)

5. Big Tech Verdicts and Conservative Regulatory Philosophy

(34:48 – 43:58)

• Hammer reports on landmark jury verdicts against Meta (Facebook/Instagram) and Google (YouTube):
  • Juries found the companies liable for knowingly harming children's mental health and concealing knowledge of child exploitation.
  • Hammer draws analogy to tobacco lawsuits, not just about “corporate defendants.”
  • Criticizes the idea that markets alone define the public good:
    • “GDP is not how we measure how societies flourish.” (36:40)
    • Noted: “Technology must ultimately be channeled through the prism of that which is best for human flourishing and the common good.” (43:58)
  • Suggests these verdicts could lead to warning labels (as with tobacco), representing a cultural shift in conservative regulatory priorities.

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• On Conservative Principles:
  “There are some conceptions of what it means to be on the right that make sense. There are some that are consonant with basic philosophy… and there are some that are not consistent.”
  –Josh Hammer, (03:15)

• On the Iranian Conflict:
  “Why are we doing this right now? Because we're trying to prevent World War three. We're trying to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, which they were really close to obtaining.”
  –Bruce Pearl, (15:49)

• On Anti-Semitism and Advocacy:
  “This is the greatest country in the world for all of us, but particularly for the Jewish people. We're running out of places to go. You get past the United States and Israel and there's not many other lands in the world where we can live, worship, [or] pray.”
  –Bruce Pearl, (26:53)

• On College Basketball's Magic:
  “Everybody loves the underdog. Everybody roots for the underdog… If fans want to know, why do coaches and players cry about losing a basketball game at the end of the year? …That family that you, that blood, sweat, and tears with for the last 11 and a half months… it's now going to be different. And that's emotional, that's sad.”
  –Bruce Pearl, (29:30; 30:22)

• On Big Tech and Regulation:
  “It is ludicrous to suggest that the market is the end all, be all when it comes to judging the health of society... Technology must ultimately be channeled through the prism of that which is best for human flourishing and the common good.”
  –Josh Hammer, (36:52; 43:58)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Opening Monologue: The Conservative Movement at an Inflection Point:
  00:36 – 13:14

• Foreign Policy and Iran Discussion (including UAE, Saudi, Trump):
  08:40 – 13:14

• Bruce Pearl on Iran, World Wars, and US Policy:
  14:20 – 19:04

• Bruce Pearl: Defining Success, Regime Change, Support for Troops:
  19:04 – 22:38

• Discussion: US-Israel Alliance, Anti-Semitism, Pearl’s Advocacy:
  24:16 – 27:47

• March Madness, the Magic of the NCAA Tournament:
  27:47 – 33:22

• Bruce Pearl’s Final Four Picks and Tournament Commentary:
  31:44 – 33:22

• Big Tech Verdicts and Conservative Regulatory Shifts:
  34:48 – 43:58

The Tone and Takeaway

Throughout the episode, Hammer’s tone is urgent, passionate, and combative—defending “timeless principles” against both left-wing activism and right-wing opportunism. Invoking biblical inheritance, he calls for a renewed focus on first principles rather than celebrity or clickbait conservatism. Pearl matches this zeal, tying today’s geopolitical choices to the lessons of history, advocating for both a strong America and a robust US-Israel alliance. The sports segment provides a heartfelt break, highlighting the emotional resonance of March Madness. The episode concludes with Hammer’s insistence that conservatives must not be dogmatic about the market, especially concerning the public harms of Big Tech—pushing for prudent, values-driven regulation.

A must-listen for those invested in the ideological future of the conservative movement, US foreign policy, and the intersection of culture, politics, and principle.