Podcast Summary: The Victor Davis Hanson Show Episode Title: Border Wall, Climate Accord, and Defamation Lawsuit—Trump's Win Win
Release Date: December 20, 2024
Hosts: Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler
Description:
Victor Davis Hanson, alongside co-host Jack Fowler, delves into pressing political and social issues, analyzing current events and historical parallels. In this episode, they discuss topics ranging from border security and climate policies to high-profile defamation lawsuits involving former President Donald Trump.

1. Drones Over New Jersey, D.C., and the Texas Border Wall (00:04:58 - 00:17:36)

Sammy Wink introduces the segment discussing the unexpected use of drones in regions like New Jersey, Washington D.C., and the ongoing issues surrounding the Texas border wall. The conversation shifts to Victor Davis Hanson, who expresses skepticism about the credibility of current government officials handling these matters.

Notable Points:

• Victor criticizes the administration's transparency, referencing past misinformation about COVID-19 origins and border security failures.
• He draws parallels between current events and historical military embarrassments, such as the 1975 helicopter incident at the Saigon embassy.
• Victor posits two possibilities for the drone activity: foreign entities testing U.S. defenses or domestic agencies potentially overstepping their mandates.
• He emphasizes the administration's reluctance to disclose detailed information, suggesting a cover-up to avoid public embarrassment.

Notable Quote:

"They thought, well, we don't have to tell people because there's no way in the world they're going to bomb us or do any damage. But if we did tell them, it would make us look like idiots with our open border and our appeasement of polls."
— Victor Davis Hanson [05:25]

2. The Texas Border Wall Sale (00:13:57 - 00:24:39)

Sammy brings up the controversial sale of border wall materials by the government at significantly reduced prices.

Key Discussions:

• Victor critiques the Biden administration's handling of the border wall project initiated by Donald Trump, highlighting the infrastructure left unfinished and now being sold off cheaply.
• He argues that rebuilding the wall under the current administration would incur double the costs due to inflation and bureaucratic inefficiencies.
• Victor emphasizes the strategic importance of walls, citing historical examples like the Theodosian Walls of Constantinople and the Carthaginian defenses against Rome.
• He mocks the notion that "walls don't work," sharing anecdotes of celebrities in Los Angeles who maintain massive personal walls despite public dismissals.
• The discussion extends to the broader implications of an open border, including illegal immigration and the influx of fentanyl, attributing significant societal harms to lax border policies.

Notable Quote:

"Walls work, they really do. They're not designed to keep everybody out all the time. They're designed to make it very expensive and difficult on the part of those who would breach them and they free up manpower."
— Victor Davis Hanson [17:39]

3. Liz Cheney and the January 6th Committee (00:28:22 - 00:37:26)

Sammy shifts the focus to former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, discussing recent allegations of her tampering with witnesses during the January 6th investigations.

Key Discussions:

• Victor expresses disappointment in Cheney, noting her prior loyalty to Trump and her high-ranking status in the House.
• He outlines the controversy surrounding her alleged improper interactions with witness Cassidy Hutchinson, suggesting political maneuvering without legal counsel.
• Victor criticizes the January 6th committee's formation, highlighting the exclusion of key Republican figures and the appointment of less credible members.
• The conversation touches on broader issues of political bias, media manipulation, and the erosion of trust in governmental institutions.

Notable Quote:

"Why would you take that risk if you were yourself? I think she's a lawyer herself. And the fact is that at that period of January, February, March of 2021, that the left and the never Trump right was completely unhinged."
— Victor Davis Hanson [28:56]

4. Trump's Defamation Lawsuit Victory Against George Stephanopoulos (00:43:31 - 00:50:59)

Sammy brings up the recent legal triumph of Donald Trump over George Stephanopoulos, focusing on defamation claims related to allegations of rape.

Key Discussions:

• Victor details the lawsuit where George Stephanopoulos falsely accused Trump of rape during an interview with Nancy Mace.
• He explains that while Trump was not found guilty of rape, the jury recognized a likelihood of sexual assault, a decision Victor believes is subject to appeal due to judicial misstatements.
• The conversation delves into the broader strategy of left-wing media personalities and their coordinated efforts to discredit Trump through multiple lawsuits and defamation cases.
• Victor highlights inconsistencies and fabricated details in Carroll's allegations, undermining their credibility and pointing out parallels with fictional scenarios from shows like "Law and Order."

Notable Quote:

"ABC looked at that and they're looking at all these other suits now. There's about 10 of them. Devin Nunes has some Donald Trump. And everybody thought, this is crazy. They'll never ever go after the left wing media for calling people murderers and rapists. And they are."
— Victor Davis Hanson [43:57]

5. The Paris Climate Accord and U.S. Policy (00:37:26 - 00:41:32)

Sammy introduces the topic of the United States potentially withdrawing from the Paris Climate Accord under Trump's influence.

Key Discussions:

• Victor supports Trump's decision to leave the accord, arguing that the U.S. maintains relatively low per capita carbon emissions compared to other nations.
• He criticizes the emphasis on renewable energy sources like wind and solar, advocating instead for continued use of natural gas due to its lower emissions and economic benefits.
• Victor contends that international climate agreements unfairly burden the American middle class while nations like China and India, with higher emissions, do not take equivalent responsibility.
• He underscores the economic inefficiencies and increased costs associated with stringent environmental regulations, portraying them as detrimental to the average American citizen.

Notable Quote:

"We're the largest producer of natural gas. We have the largest reserves. People until Joe Biden were using more natural gas for burning, for heating than the old coal or oil. It was a clean way to generate electricity."
— Victor Davis Hanson [37:26]

6. Global Political Challenges and Leadership (00:52:36 - 00:60:32)

Sammy brings up the struggles faced by liberal governments worldwide, including leaders like Macron, Merkel, and Trudeau, and juxtaposes them with Trump's leadership style.

Key Discussions:

• Victor attributes the political and economic challenges in Western governments to radical green policies, open border stances, and cultural shifts that have led to economic strain and social unrest.
• He contrasts these with Trump's governance, which he praises for reducing inflation, controlling unemployment, and maintaining effective border security.
• Victor discusses the shifting perceptions of Trump among international leaders, noting a newfound respect and willingness to engage with him despite past antagonisms.
• He highlights Trump's resilience and strategic acumen in navigating legal battles and maintaining a loyal support base, portraying him as a "Nietzschean figure" who grows stronger amidst adversity.

Notable Quote:

"He's a Nietzschean figure that the more you try to kill him, the stronger he gets. And he has Susan Wiles and Stephen Chung and all those people around him, they're professionals."
— Victor Davis Hanson [52:36]

7. Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts (00:60:32 - End)

As the episode concludes, Sammy and Victor reflect on the discussions, emphasizing the ongoing political dynamics and the enduring influence of leadership decisions on national and international stages.

Final Notable Quote:

"He's got his own Twitter. He's much more circumspect. Somebody is obviously editing his tweets and he's just at a higher level and he's got people who are loyal to him."
— Victor Davis Hanson [60:32]

Conclusion

In this episode, Victor Davis Hanson provides a critical analysis of current political issues, emphasizing themes of national security, economic policy, and media accountability. His discussions reveal a consistent skepticism towards mainstream narratives and government transparency, advocating for strategies that prioritize American interests and sovereignty. Through historical references and contemporary examples, Victor underscores the complexities of governance and the impact of leadership on both domestic and global scales.

Notable Exclusions:
All advertisements, sponsor messages, and non-content segments have been omitted to focus solely on the substantive discussions between the hosts.