The Radio Free Hillsdale Hour

Episode: "Scott Jennings Explains the Common Sense of Donald Trump"

Host: Scott Bertram (Hillsdale College)
Guest: Scott Jennings (CNN Senior Political Commentator, author of A Revolution of Common Sense)
Date: November 21, 2025

Episode Overview

This episode features Scott Jennings, senior political commentator at CNN and author of A Revolution of Common Sense: How Donald Trump Stormed Washington and Fought for Western Civilization. The discussion delves into the themes of Jennings’ book, focusing on the leadership style and policy decisions of President Donald Trump during his second term, the character and cohesion of Trump’s cabinet, media dynamics in the Trump era, major policy achievements from immigration to DEI rollbacks, and the broader transformation of the Republican coalition. Jennings offers both insider anecdotes and analysis, addressing misconceptions about both Trump and the current media landscape.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Scott Jennings’ Background and Role in Political Commentary

• From Kentucky to National Media: Jennings shares his journey from rural Kentucky, through early journalism, on to the Bush campaign in 2000, and ultimately to CNN.
• Emphasizes the importance of having strong conservative voices in broadcast media.
• "CNN decided they wanted to put a conservative who was going to fight hard for how half the country sees the world. And I'm doing that every day and making arguments and debating the left and doing it often, four and five on one." (02:31)

Approach to Television Debate

• Jennings stresses logic, reason, and composure over emotion or cross-talk during TV panels.
• "I believe in conservative arguments, so I believe in letting these conversations unfold. And when you do that, then you get a chance to talk… if you give me 60 seconds, there's a really good chance I'm going to explain why the left is wrong, why the conservatives have it right." (03:32)

Trump’s Cabinet and Leadership Style (04:37–07:24)

• Jennings posits that Trump's current administration is markedly different from his first due to a carefully selected team that matches Trump’s management style.
• Highlights key advisors: Scott Besant, Marco Rubio, Doug Burgum, and Chris Wright, with Elon Musk’s brief involvement.
• On Rubio and Besant:
  • "You know, my personal view is, is that Bessant and Rubio have been the all stars of the cabinet. And you hear that constantly from conservatives that you talk to around the country." (06:17)

Marco Rubio’s Role

• Rubio’s emergence as an indispensable figure, especially on foreign policy, handling the State Department’s increased workload.
• "There’s no doubt that Rubio has done that… he has shown extreme skill set here, both in terms of internal management, but external communications. He’s really the whole package right now and is doing a terrific job, in my opinion." (08:21)

Trump, Russia, and Foreign Policy Myths (08:47–11:30)

• Jennings challenges the persistent media narrative of Trump being "soft on Russia":
• Notes Trump’s successful pressuring of NATO to increase defense spending and robust support for Ukraine, contrary to the "Russian stooge" trope.
• "The record is exactly the opposite… He has strengthened NATO far beyond what any president's been able to do." (09:25–10:57)

The Political Information Distribution Complex & Media Trust (13:01–15:17)

• Jennings’ term: “political information distribution complex” describes the symbiotic and narrative-driven relationship between legacy media and politics.
• Notes declining public trust in media and shift toward independent voices.
• "People want there to be a trusted free press. I certainly do. I work in it… we just don’t have that right now, but we could get it." (13:09)
• Cites his election night 2024 CNN commentary as emblematic:
  • "I made this long speech… about the death of the political information distribution complex and about how it had misled the American people about the state of the election." (13:46)
• Praises media reformers like Bari Weiss.

Immigration and the Southern Border (15:17–18:26)

• Trump’s immediate success in closing the southern border is cited as both a major accomplishment and a reason for less media coverage.
• "We're just enforcing the laws that exist. And that shows you the difference between this administration… which is simply enforcing the law, and the previous, which was instructing federal law enforcement not to enforce the law." (16:30)
• Notes emerging focus on combating narco-terrorists and signals a more assertive U.S. stance in the hemisphere.

DEI Rollback: Cultural and Policy Shifts (18:26–21:11)

• Jennings describes Trump’s rollback of DEI (Diversity, Equity & Inclusion) measures as a major, underappreciated policy shift.
• Draws on Chris Caldwell’s assessment of the change as “the biggest policy change in decades.”
• "What they want to do is find people who are best for the job, and that's the trait that they're looking for. Who's the best qualified person… that is a common sense way to approach the job that most Americans agree with." (19:40)
• Trump’s moves in the federal government provided "cover and courage" for corporations to pivot.

Trump’s Curiosity and Decision-Making Style (21:11–23:21)

• Counters media caricature of Trump as uninformed.
• "He is extremely curious. He asks a lot of questions. He likes to watch debates between advisors, people who have slightly different opinions about things. He does ask for everyone's opinion in the room. I watched him do it in the Oval Office… He convenes people, he listens, and then he makes decisions. He's decisive." (21:41)

U.S. Global Leadership and Strength (23:21–26:03)

• Trump’s philosophy centers on projecting U.S. strength and decisiveness, which Jennings argues has delivered results in foreign policy (notably the Middle East).
• "If the American president is strong… then, look, we are the world's superpower. We are the indispensable country in the world. Our engagement with a president like that can force people to the table, can bring people around and get people to, you know, do things." (23:47)

The New Republican Coalition and Post-Trump GOP (26:03–29:31)

• Trump credited with expanding the Republican Party’s tent, intentionally recruiting voters and cabinet members (e.g., RFK, Chavez-DeRemer) from diverse backgrounds and ideological origins.
• "He now sits at the top of a political party that has everybody from RFK to Mitch McConnell in it… that's a wide berth, but that's how you win. You don't win by getting smaller. You win by making your party attractive to people who might not have otherwise considered it." (27:36)
• On the future, Jennings notes: “You can’t replicate Donald Trump. He is singular, he is unique. The next group… they’re not going to be able to replicate his attitude. But what you can replicate is the idea that… we have to be coalition builders. We have to find ways to make the party bigger, not smaller.” (28:45)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• On debunking media narratives:

  "The record is exactly the opposite… He has strengthened NATO far beyond what any president's been able to do..."
  — Scott Jennings (10:42)

• On coalition-building:

  "You don't win by getting smaller. You win by making your party attractive to people who might not have otherwise considered it."
  — Scott Jennings (27:41)

• On what makes Trump’s leadership different:

  “He is extremely curious. He asks a lot of questions… I watched him do it in the Oval Office. I watched him do it on Air Force One… once a decision is made, it's made. He's a decisive person.”
  — Scott Jennings (21:41)

• On media after Trump:

  “Trump, unfortunately for a lot of people in the media, he broke them. He convinced them that they’re no longer supposed to be journalists, but they’re supposed to be activists or... opposition.”
  — Scott Jennings (13:23)

• On DEI and policy culture:

  “Nobody really thinks it's a good idea to operate by the edicts of DEI… He removes it from the federal government. It's no longer federal policy… he gave cover and courage to everybody in corporate America."
  — Scott Jennings (19:23)

Suggested Listening Timestamps

• Jennings’ background & approach: (02:00–03:32)
• Selection and performance of Trump’s Cabinet: (04:37–07:24)
• Rubio’s expanded role in foreign policy: (07:24–08:47)
• Trump, Russia, and NATO: (08:47–11:30)
• State of media and information "complex": (13:01–15:17)
• Immigration policy and southern border: (15:17–18:26)
• Rollback of DEI: (18:26–21:11)
• Insider look at Trump’s decision-making: (21:11–23:21)
• Foreign policy philosophy: (23:21–26:03)
• Republican coalition and GOP future: (26:03–29:31)

Tone and Takeaway

Jennings is measured, logical, and good-humored, providing thoughtful critiques and firsthand observations. The conversation is accessible, substantive, and robustly defends the logic behind Trump’s policies and coalition-building strategies. The episode is both a defense and an explanation of the cultural, political, and administrative changes of Trump’s current term, with practical insights into media dynamics, governance, and political strategy.

End of Summary