The Victor Davis Hanson Show
Episode Title: Going to Giza and Cutting Through DC Waste
Release Date: February 1, 2025

Hosts

• Victor Davis Hanson: Martin and Neely Anderson Senior Fellow at the Hoover Institution and Wayne & Marcia Buske Distinguished Fellow in History at Hillsdale College.
• Jack Fowler: Co-host and Director for the Center for Civil Society at American Philanthropic.

1. Introduction and Overview

In this episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show, Victor and co-host Jack Fowler delve into a multifaceted discussion that ranges from ancient wonders to contemporary political turmoil. The episode is segmented into various topics, each shedding light on historical insights and current affairs.

2. News Roundup

Victor opens with a brief news introduction, highlighting key stories that set the stage for deeper discussions:

• Sam Bankman-Fried's Parents Seeking a Pardon: A controversial move as they seek clemency from Donald Trump.
• Trump’s Settlement with Facebook's Mark Zuckerberg: Resolving long-standing disputes over deplatforming.
• Reopening of Guantanamo Bay: Transformation into a detention center for criminal illegal immigrants.

3. Sam Bankman-Fried and the Pardon Controversy

The conversation shifts to the intricate saga surrounding Sam Bankman-Fried:

• Background: Bankman-Fried, once a significant donor to the Biden campaign, is now embroiled in legal troubles alongside his parents for alleged involvement in a Ponzi scheme.
• Quote: "They are deeply involved with his scheme and it collapsed and it destroyed a lot of the investors who had given him so much money during this cryptocurrency craze." (05:22)

Jack criticizes the irony of Bankman-Fried's parents seeking a pardon from a president they previously opposed, questioning their motivations and the intellectual arrogance that may underlie such actions.

4. Trump's Legal Victories and Media Settlements

The hosts discuss Donald Trump's recent legal triumphs and settlements with major media outlets:

• Settlement with Facebook: Trump receives a $25 million payout from Facebook after being deplatformed.
• Defamation Suits Against CNN and CBS: Notable cases include George Stephanopoulos's $16 million settlement over defamatory statements.
• Quote: "They lost that suit. And then there may be a... CBS is going to settle because CBS took the Kamala Harris interview on 60 Minutes." (09:25)

Hanson and Fowler argue that media conglomerates are capitulating to Trump’s pressures to mitigate public backlash, revealing a shift in power dynamics.

5. Guantanamo Bay and the Link Lake and Riley Act

A significant portion of the discussion centers on Trump's decision to reopen Guantanamo Bay as a detention center for criminals and illegal immigrants:

• Historical Context: Guantanamo Bay has been criticized for human rights violations since its inception post-9/11.
• Link Lake and Riley Act: Victor explains the act's role in preventing local jurisdictions from shielding detained individuals from federal immigration laws.
• Quote: "Any jurisdiction, local, state that has criminals under detention or arrest them and those criminals are subject to violations of federal immigration law need to give those people to the federal government and not shield them." (15:11)

The hosts draw parallels between current federal actions and historical instances of federal supremacy over state laws, likening the situation to pre-Civil War confederate ideology.

6. Executive Orders and Pardons: Biden vs. Trump

Victor and Jack analyze the use of executive orders and pardons across recent administrations:

• Biden Administration: Accusations of overreach with approximately 8,000 pardons, many linked to personal and political favors.
• Trump Administration: Although prolific, Trump's pardons pale in comparison, totaling around 1,700.
• Quote: "If you go back let’s go back to Donald Trump has pardoned he had about 200 pardons in the first... Joe Biden had about 8000." (57:01)

The discussion emphasizes the unprecedented nature of Biden’s pardons, suggesting a politicized approach that undermines the integrity of the pardon system.

7. Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in Political Appointments

The hosts critique the impact of DEI initiatives on political appointments and meritocracy:

• Caroline Levitt and J.D. Vance: Accusations that their appointments were influenced more by DEI considerations than by qualifications.
• Jack's Anecdote: Recounts personal experiences where merit-based candidates were overlooked in favor of fulfilling diversity quotas.
• Quote: "When you look at her at the screen, she’s attractive, well-spoken and 110% Trump, and she answers all the questions." (24:02)

Victor and Jack argue that DEI practices often undermine true meritocracy, leading to inefficiencies and resentment within political structures.

8. The Giza Pyramids and the Seven Wonders

Transitioning to historical discourse, Victor and Jack explore the Great Pyramid of Giza’s significance:

• Historical Importance: The Great Pyramid is the oldest and only remaining wonder of the original Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
• Construction Insights: Discussion on the engineering marvels, including the use of limestone blocks and advanced construction techniques.
• Quote: "They could, pretty much tell, there’s also a passage in the subterranean underneath." (33:23)

The hosts highlight the pyramid’s enduring legacy and its representation of ancient ingenuity and societal structure.

9. Mycenaean Walls and Architectural Techniques

Further historical analysis covers the Mycenaean civilization’s construction methods:

• Cyclopean Walls: The great walls built without the use of mortar, posing questions about ancient engineering capabilities.
• Construction Theories: Examination of theories involving ramps, dissolvable materials, and centralized planning with a massive workforce.
• Quote: "They were centrally brought up to palace stores and then redistributed. It was kind of like communism." (49:26)

Hanson and Fowler draw parallels between ancient autocratic societies and modern political systems, emphasizing the role of centralized power in monumental constructions.

10. Political Commentary: FBI, Adam Schiff, and Government Weaponization

The hosts provide a scathing critique of perceived government and institutional biases:

• FBI’s Role: Accusations of the FBI acting as a retrieval service for political figures, eroding public trust.
• Adam Schiff and Congressional Bias: Criticism of Adam Schiff’s conduct during hearings, labeling his actions as manipulative and unfair.
• Quote: "Adam Schiff embarrassed himself... The people have lost confidence in the Pentagon and especially the FBI." (70:00 - 73:45)

Victor and Jack argue that the weaponization of government institutions has led to a substantial decline in public trust and institutional integrity.

11. Closing Remarks

In concluding the episode, Victor and Jack reflect on the erosion of meritocracy and the increasing politicization of government functions. They emphasize the need for restoring traditional values and robust institutional checks to counteract the prevailing political dysfunction.

Notable Quotes

• On DEI and Meritocracy:
  "They are deeply involved with his scheme and it collapsed and it destroyed a lot of the investors who had given him so much money during this cryptocurrency craze." (05:22)

• On Media Settlements:
  "They lost that suit. And then there may be a... CBS is going to settle because CBS took the Kamala Harris interview on 60 Minutes." (09:25)

• On Guantanamo Bay:
  "Any jurisdiction, local, state that has criminals under detention or arrest them and those criminals are subject to violations of federal immigration law need to give those people to the federal government and not shield them." (15:11)

• On Pardons:
  "If you go back let’s go back to Donald Trump has pardoned he had about 200 pardons in the first... Joe Biden had about 8000." (57:01)

• On Political Appointments and DEI:
  "When you look at her at the screen, she’s attractive, well-spoken and 110% Trump, and she answers all the questions." (24:02)

• On Historical Construction Methods:
  "They were centrally brought up to palace stores and then redistributed. It was kind of like communism." (49:26)

• On Government Weaponization:
  "Adam Schiff embarrassed himself... The people have lost confidence in the Pentagon and especially the FBI." (70:00 - 73:45)

Conclusion

This episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show offers a blend of historical exploration and incisive political analysis. From the grandeur of the Giza pyramids to the contentious landscape of modern American politics, Victor and Jack provide listeners with a comprehensive overview of topics that bridge the ancient and the contemporary, urging a return to foundational principles and institutional integrity.