The Victor Davis Hanson Show - Episode Summary Title: Obama as ex-President and Conservative Ghettos on Campus
Release Date: July 24, 2025
Hosts: Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler
Co-Hosts: Occasionally joined by Sami Winc

Introduction and Overview

In this episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show, co-hosts Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler delve into a range of pressing political and social issues. The discussion navigates through allegations against former President Barack Obama, the ongoing Russia investigation, the Biden administration's actions post-presidency, and the state of higher education. The conversation is interspersed with critiques of media biases and the handling of political scandals.

The Russia Hoax and Intelligence Community Allegations

Timestamp: 05:22

Jack Fowler initiates the discussion by revisiting the "Russia hoax," asserting that recent revelations by Tulsi Gabbard and other whistleblowers have shed new light on alleged misconduct by high-profile figures like Barack Obama, John Brennan, James Comey, and others. Fowler draws parallels to the Watergate scandal, emphasizing the magnitude of the current situation:

"They tried to destroy him personally, financially, psychologically, and career-wise, and they just tried to destroy an elected president."
— Jack Fowler [05:22]

He argues that intelligence agencies, under Obama's administration, were directed to pursue a narrative of collusion with Russia against Donald Trump despite lacking evidence. Fowler contends that this orchestrated effort mirrors post-Watergate tactics aimed at undermining political opponents.

Barack Obama vs. Donald Trump: Presidential Conduct and Media Influence

Timestamp: 13:30

Victor Davis Hanson contrasts the presidencies and post-presidential actions of George W. Bush and Barack Obama. He criticizes Obama for allegedly attempting to dismantle Trump's presidency through manipulation of the intelligence community and media outlets:

"Maybe the king of being acting in a non-presidential fashion is Barack Obama, who as an ex-president tried to destroy the next presidency despite his own terrible performance as president."
— Victor Davis Hansen [14:54]

Jack Fowler adds that Obama’s influence on media such as CNN and MSNBC has waned, contributing to a fragmented information landscape where "it's a wild west now on the Internet."

Media Bias and the Auto Pardon Scandal

Timestamp: 21:41

The hosts scrutinize the media's handling—or lack thereof—of Joe Biden's auto pardon scandal. Citing a Washington Free Beacon article, they highlight how major networks like ABC, CBS, NBC, and PBS have largely ignored the scandal:

"All four broadcast networks, ABC, CBS, NBC, PBS ignored it. There wasn't any reporting of the topic until a July 13th New York Times story that prompted a brief 34-second mention by NBC in the month of coverage."
— Jack Fowler [21:41]

They criticize the media for selective reporting and failing to hold political figures accountable, suggesting a deliberate suppression of unfavorable news.

Minneapolis Mayoral Race and Political Shifts

Timestamp: 39:50

The conversation shifts to the Minneapolis mayoral race, where incumbent Jacob Frey loses Democratic backing to Omar Fata, a Somali-American socialist. Hanson and Fowler express confusion over the Democratic Party’s endorsement of a figure they describe as "a complete freaking leftist":

"I don't know why they call him a socialist when they're all affluent and they're all products of capitalism."
— Jack Fowler [40:46]

This segment underscores their concerns about the Democratic Party's direction and the rise of more extreme candidates within its ranks.

Higher Education and the Liberal Dominance

Timestamp: 51:17

A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to critiquing the liberal dominance in higher education, particularly at elite institutions like Harvard. Fowler discusses the Manhattan Institute's efforts to promote viewpoint diversity and the challenges faced in creating conservative centers on campuses:

"When you put all the conservatives in one place, two things happen. They're completely marginalized and they have zero effect on the day-to-day operations."
— Jack Fowler [51:17]

Victor adds that attempts to foster intellectual diversity often result in conservative enclaves that lack real influence, likening them to "Gulag-like" ghettos.

Sexual Harassment and Due Process in Academia

Timestamp: 62:25

The hosts touch upon the handling of sexual harassment cases within universities, advocating for due process and criticizing the current climate which they perceive as overly punitive:

"I'm sick of that. We saw when he threw out the first pitch... All these scandals, and the boards of trustees did nothing."
— Jack Fowler [63:29]

They share anecdotes of professors being unjustly reprimanded, emphasizing the need for fair treatment and accountability in academic institutions.

The Manhattan Statement on Higher Education

Timestamp: 68:38

Towards the end of the episode, Jack Fowler highlights the Manhattan Statement on Higher Education, praising Chris Ruffo for his efforts in combating "woke idiocy" on campuses. He underscores the importance of comprehensive reform rather than creating isolated conservative centers:

"It is a powerful action plan to do what Victor said not to create little ghettos or hide at this little center but to total reform."
— Jack Fowler [68:38]

Victor concurs, emphasizing the necessity of intellectual diversity across the entire faculty rather than compartmentalized efforts.

Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Timestamp: 70:26

In their closing remarks, Hansen and Fowler reflect on the broader implications of their discussions. They reiterate the importance of challenging dominant liberal narratives in politics and academia, advocating for a more balanced and accountable approach across all sectors.

Notable Quotes

1. Jack Fowler:
   "They tried to destroy him personally, financially, psychologically, and career-wise, and they just tried to destroy an elected president."
   [05:22]

2. Victor Davis Hansen:
   "Maybe the king of being acting in a non-presidential fashion is Barack Obama, who as an ex-president tried to destroy the next presidency despite his own terrible performance as president."
   [14:54]

3. Jack Fowler:
   "When you put all the conservatives in one place, two things happen. They're completely marginalized and they have zero effect on the day-to-day operations."
   [51:17]

4. Jack Fowler:
   "It’s like trying to destroy Mike Flynn ten times over with the president of the United States elect."
   [05:22]

Final Remarks

The episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show presents a critical analysis of recent political events, media biases, and the state of higher education from a conservative perspective. Hanson and Fowler emphasize the need for accountability, intellectual diversity, and transparency in both political and academic institutions. Their discussions are marked by a deep skepticism of mainstream media narratives and a call for reform to address perceived systemic biases.

Listeners are encouraged to engage with their content through Victor Davis Hansen's website and subscribe to their newsletter Civil Thoughts for ongoing updates and insights.