Podcast Summary: The Conservative Trying to Shift America Rightward... One Movie at a Time

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Journal.
• Host/Authors: Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza.
• Description: The most important stories about money, business, and power. Hosted by Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza, The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal.
• Episode Title: The Conservative Trying to Shift America Rightward... One Movie at a Time
• Release Date: June 12, 2025

Introduction

In the June 12, 2025 episode of The Journal, hosts Ryan Knutson and Jessica Mendoza delve into the influential maneuvers of Leonard Leo, a prominent conservative operative, who is channeling significant financial resources to reshape American culture through entertainment. The episode, titled "The Conservative Trying to Shift America Rightward... One Movie at a Time," explores Leo's strategies, his influence in politics, and his ambitious efforts to embed conservative values within Hollywood and broader American society.

House of David: A Cultural Touchstone

The episode opens with a discussion about the emerging TV series House of David, an eight-part Amazon Prime Video production that retells the biblical story of King David and Goliath. Hosts highlight its unexpected success:

• Jessica Mendoza [00:17]: "The biblical tale of David and Goliath. House of David is an eight part series airing on Amazon Prime Video. It follows the story of King David from his early days as a shepherd to his epic fight with Goliath. After hitting the top rankings on Amazon this spring, the show has been greenlit for a second season."

Leonard Leo’s Influence in Politics

Maggie Severns, a colleague of Mendoza’s who covers corporate influence, introduces Leonard Leo’s significant role behind the scenes:

• Maggie Severns [00:14]: "Can one stone change the course of history?"

• Maggie Severns [01:17]: "Leonard Leo isn't a name typically associated with Hollywood. He's better known for his influence in Washington where he's long been involved in causes important to the political right."

Leonard Leo, traditionally recognized for his leadership in the Federalist Society—a key conservative legal organization—has been instrumental in shaping the judiciary landscape:

• Jessica Mendoza [03:37]: "Leonard Leo led the Federalist Society, an influential conservative legal organization. And one of its biggest concerns is the makeup of the courts."

Supreme Court Appointments and Political Ties

Leo's impact on the Supreme Court has been profound, advising Presidents George W. Bush and Donald Trump, and playing a pivotal role in the confirmation of justices:

• Maggie Severns [04:09]: "Supreme Court nominee John Roberts was gliding through confirmation hearings."
• Maggie Severns [04:13]: "Neil Gorsuch was confirmed by the U.S. senate yesterday afternoon."
• Maggie Severns [04:17]: "Senators voted 50 to 48 to confirm Brett Kavanaugh to the U.S. Supreme Court."

Leo's behind-the-scenes efforts included acting as a "Sherpa" for nominees, guiding them through the confirmation process, and funding extensive ad campaigns to bolster their public image:

• Maggie Severns [05:16]: "Leonard Leo was becoming more high profile. And that's what happened with Leo. They haven't talked in years, is our understanding."

Estrangement from Donald Trump

Despite his critical role during the Trump administration, Leo's relationship with Trump soured post-2020:

• Maggie Severns [05:26]: "He was advising on these court picks. That changed around 2020."
• Jessica Mendoza [06:06]: "Trump lashed out at Leo on Truth Social. In a post last month, the president called him a sleazebag who, quote, probably hates America."

Leo responded by reaffirming his commitment to the judiciary:

• Leonard Leo [06:06]: "There’s more work to be done, but the federal judiciary is better than it’s ever been in modern history."

The $1.6 Billion Donation: A Game Changer

A significant turn of events is Leo's acquisition of a $1.6 billion trust, initially funded by billionaire Barry Seid:

• Maggie Severns [06:53]: "Leo now has all that money. Leo now has this $1.6 billion trust that is going to, he says, disperse all that money."

This unprecedented financial backing positions Leo to exert substantial influence across various sectors:

• Jessica Mendoza [06:53]: "The man behind the money is Barry Seid, a businessman who founded a successful company that makes electrical products."

Shaping American Culture Through Entertainment

Leo's strategy extends beyond politics, targeting the entertainment industry to foster a conservative cultural ethos. The creation of a supportive ecosystem for conservative media is central to his approach:

• Maggie Severns [08:53]: "What if we can have House of David and then there will be five more movies?"

Leo's initiatives aim to produce high-quality entertainment that aligns with conservative and family-friendly values, thereby attracting mass audiences seeking alternatives to progressive Hollywood narratives.

Teneo: The Networking Engine

A critical component of Leo's strategy involves Teneo, a networking club that has expanded its influence under Leo’s guidance:

• Maggie Severns [09:46]: "Teneo... most of the people who they recruit are under 45 years old."

Teneo’s members include key players in movies, podcasts, and entertainment financing, facilitating investments into media projects that reflect conservative ideals.

Funding Conservative Content

Leo's trust has funded various projects aimed at promoting conservative themes:

• Maggie Severns [07:19]: "A lot of the movies are about the evils of government overreach and onerous regulation."

One notable example includes a film portraying the battle against a pinball ban in 1970s New York, blending true stories with libertarian messages:

• Maggie Severns [12:54]: "A lot of the movies are about the evils of government overreach... It's about the overreach of the New York City government that had unfairly banned this game."

Assessing Leo’s Ambition and Impact

Maggie Severns provides a nuanced analysis of Leo's long-term vision:

• Maggie Severns [13:50]: "What Leonard Leo is doing comes from a point of view that I hadn't seen before. Right. And it is striking in its ambition."

Leo's approach emphasizes a "soft power" strategy, investing in cultural change over immediate, measurable outcomes:

• Maggie Severns [14:35]: "Right now he's a very bullish David... he's working on becoming a Goliath for sure."

Conclusion: Leonard Leo’s David Turning into Goliath

The episode concludes by framing Leonard Leo’s journey as a transition from a David-like figure with ambitious plans and substantial resources aiming to shift American culture to a Goliath-like dominance in conservative influence:

• Maggie Severns [14:35]: "He's a David with $1.6 billion to spend... He's working on becoming a Goliath for sure."

Jessica Mendoza [14:51]: "Yeah, he's currently a David in that space making his way to becoming a Goliath."

Produced by The Journal, a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal. Additional reporting by Josh Dossey and Jon Jurgensen.