The Victor Davis Hanson Show Episode: One Battle, Two Spats: D-Day Remembered, the Trump/Musk Split, & the Biles/Gaines Feud Release Date: June 13, 2025

In this episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show, hosts Victor Davis Hanson and his co-host Jack Fowler delve into a diverse range of topics, blending historical analysis with contemporary political and social commentary. The discussion is divided into several key segments, each addressing significant events and controversies shaping today's landscape.

D-Day Remembered

Victor Davis Hanson opens the episode with an in-depth analysis of D-Day, commemorating its 81st anniversary. He emphasizes that June 6th marked the beginning of the Normandy campaign, which extended until September 1st, rather than the conclusion of the war.

Key Points:

• Strategic Importance: Hanson highlights the strategic imperatives that led to the invasion, particularly the Soviet Union's urgent demand for a second front to alleviate the immense pressure they faced from the Wehrmacht.

  "As soon as they got in, the Russian discovered that there was no second front. We were not in the war yet." (05:52)

• Operational Challenges: He discusses the logistical hurdles of mounting the largest amphibious invasion in history, comparing it to historical military campaigns like those of Rome and MacArthur's Incheon Landing.

  "They landed over a 48-hour period, about 200,000... on D-Day alone, 4,400 Americans, Canadians and mostly Americans were killed." (16:31)

• Outcome and Impact: Hanson underscores the perseverance of American forces at Omaha Beach despite severe casualties and unfavorable conditions, ultimately breaking through German defenses and shifting the war's momentum.

  "Once they broke through, they were south. Normandy was not Pas de Calais... Hitler... had signed the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact, yet did not anticipate a coordinated two-front war." (20:00)

Hanson concludes that the success of D-Day was pivotal in undermining German defenses and hastening the end of World War II.

LA Riots and California Policies

The conversation shifts to the ongoing Los Angeles riots, where Trump has deployed 2,000 National Guard troops in response to civil unrest. Governor Gavin Newsom and Mayor Karen Bass have faced criticism for their handling of the situation.

Key Points:

• Government Response: Hanson critiques the leadership of Newsom and Bass, accusing them of abandoning the city and failing to address underlying issues such as illegal immigration and high taxation.

  "Karen Bass came out and basically supported the demonstrators who were already rioting... They don't want to be fired, so they're going to go along with the party line." (22:47)

• Policy Failures: He argues that California's policies on gas taxes, power bills, and illegal immigration have disproportionately burdened the middle and lower classes, leading to increased instability.

  "Cruel is the Los Angeles head of Water and Power who let the reservoir not be repaired and it was empty... One quarter of your state residents don't pay their power bill." (31:01)

• Socioeconomic Implications: Hanson links the riots to broader socioeconomic disparities, emphasizing the lack of grassroots support and the role of elite policies in exacerbating tensions.

  "There is no grassroots support for this. It's elite people doing that... Their communities are the most impacted." (31:17)

Hanson calls for accountability among California's leadership, suggesting that Mayor Bass and Governor Newsom should face repercussions for their perceived inaction and policy missteps.

Media Bias and ABC Correspondent Suspension

The hosts examine recent actions by major media outlets, particularly ABC's decision to suspend correspondent Terry Marant for criticizing Stephen Miller, Deputy Chief of Staff for Donald Trump.

Key Points:

• Media Objectivity: Hanson criticizes the media's claim of objectivity, citing instances where journalists have exhibited clear biases against Trump and other conservative figures.

  "The left is trying to find every single thing to use lawfare... They think we're playing games, but I'm not." (35:34)

• Notable Incidents: He references specific cases, such as George Stephanopoulos falsely accusing Trump of sexual assault and ABC's suspension of Terry Marant, to illustrate perceived media partiality.

  "ABC just settled a multimillion-dollar suit because George Stephanopoulos... went on a rampage and lied to the American people." (61:11)

• Impact of AI: The discussion touches on the role of artificial intelligence in perpetuating media biases, with Hanson expressing concern over algorithms that skew search results and manipulate public perception.

  "It's like everyone I do, it's the opposite of what you search... they're written into there, all of their Google searches." (66:16)

Hanson asserts that the media's departure from neutral reporting undermines public trust and exacerbates political polarization.

The Big Beautiful Bill and Economic Impacts

Hanson and Wink discuss a legislative proposal referred to as the Big Beautiful Bill, analyzing its potential economic consequences.

Key Points:

• Fiscal Policies: The bill includes a mix of spending cuts and tax reductions, aiming to continue 2017 tax cuts while addressing border security and university endowments.

  "It has in their continuation of the 2017 tax cuts... but it also finishes the wall and it hires 10,000 more Border Patrol agents." (37:22)

• Deficit Concerns: The Congressional Budget Office projects that the bill could increase deficits by $1 to $3 trillion over ten years, raising questions about its long-term sustainability.

  "Is the Congressional Budget Office a disinterested neutral party... or is it a more liberal left of center staffed by academics?" (37:22)

• Economic Growth Projections: Hanson discusses optimistic economic forecasts, such as potential 4% GDP growth and significant job creation from tariffs and investment incentives, while remaining skeptical about the actual realization of these promises.

  "If the economy grows 4%, we don't know what the effect will be exactly on the $5.2 trillion in annual federal revenue." (41:32)

Hanson emphasizes the uncertainty surrounding massive fiscal stimulus measures, highlighting the unprecedented nature of the bill's promises and the potential risks of overestimating economic growth.

Trump and Musk Spat

A notable segment covers the escalating conflict between former President Donald Trump and entrepreneur Elon Musk, exploring the roots and implications of their disagreements.

Key Points:

• Distinct Roles: Hanson differentiates between Trump's role as a political leader accountable to constituents and Musk's position as a corporate CEO driven by profitability and shareholder interests.

  "Trump's challenges as president are very different than Elon Musk's challenges as a president of his own company." (48:39)

• Policy and Business Clash: The spat involves issues like fleet management decisions, public statements, and strategic disagreements over policy and business operations.

  "Trump was trying to get information... he did not want all of his cuts with Doge... he's willing to do that and play chicken with us." (55:37)

• Potential Reconciliation: Hanson suggests a possible pathway to mend the relationship, advocating for regular communication and mutual support to align their objectives for national interest.

  "We got to stop this... I want to have a stable and mutually advantageous relationship for us and the country." (55:37)

Hanson stresses the importance of collaboration between influential figures like Trump and Musk to foster national prosperity, despite their personal and political differences.

Biles/Gaines Feud

The final major discussion revolves around the social media conflict between gymnast Simone Biles and swimmer Riley Gaines, highlighting tensions around transgender issues in sports.

Key Points:

• Conflict Overview: Biles criticized Gaines for not supporting transgender rights, suggesting she should "pick someone her own size," which ignited backlash from their followers.

  "Biles said that she should pick on someone her own size, which would be male, trying to insult her with being male." (69:14)

• Underlying Issues: Hanson explores the broader context of transgender participation in women's sports, noting the limited presence and competitive impact of transgender athletes.

  "Women who have trans to men, they don't win anything. They don't even enter." (70:46)

• Commercial Repercussions: He predicts that Biles' actions will lead to a loss of corporate endorsements as sponsors distance themselves from the controversy.

  "They hold her up and say you were so great. We're not renewing your contract." (73:16)

Hanson critiques the public exchange, suggesting it reflects broader societal conflicts over gender identity and the role of athletes as spokespeople.

Audience Feedback and Future Plans

Towards the end of the episode, Hanson and Wink reflect on positive audience feedback, particularly praising a recent interview with playwright David Mamet. They also discuss plans to expand the podcast's format to include longer discussions and more diverse guest interviews.

Key Points:

• Positive Reception: Listeners have commended the depth and quality of the conversations, expressing a desire for longer and more frequent interviews.

  "David Mamet and Victor Davis Hanson are dynamont... this should have been a three-hour interview." (74:20)

• Expansion Plans: Hanson mentions the intention to invite more high-profile guests, including politicians and intellectuals, to enrich the show's content.

  "We're getting requests for three or four interviews... intellectuals to come on and try to draw them out on their ideas." (75:22)

• Commitment to Audience: Both hosts express gratitude towards their listeners and outline their dedication to continuing impactful and thought-provoking discussions.

  "Thank you, everybody, for listening and watching... we always appreciate our audience." (76:09)

Conclusion

This episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show offers a comprehensive examination of historical events, current political tensions, media biases, and social controversies. Through meticulous analysis and candid discussions, Hanson and Wink provide listeners with nuanced perspectives on complex issues, encouraging informed discourse and critical thinking.