Podcast Summary: The Victor Davis Hanson Show – "Plane Crash, Executive Orders, and Kash"

Release Date: January 31, 2025

In this episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show, hosts Victor Davis Hanson and Sammy Wink delve into a range of pressing political and social issues, focusing primarily on a recent tragic plane crash, the implications of President Donald Trump's executive orders, and the confirmation of Kash Patel. The discussion is enriched with historical insights, personal anecdotes, and critical analysis of current events.

1. Tragic Plane Crash and Air Traffic Control Failures (04:24 – 16:32)

The episode opens with a detailed analysis of a recent helicopter crash into a civilian plane. Sammy Wink introduces the topic, emphasizing the immediate impact and the chaos surrounding the incident.

Victor Davis Hanson provides a nuanced breakdown of the crash, highlighting issues related to air corridor management and training protocols:

“In all these situations, there's fundamental causation and proximate causation... Whoever ordered that training mission with people who were either training or retraining to get anywhere near that corridor is culpable.” [04:24]

Hanson critiques the placement of military training missions near busy civilian air routes, suggesting that logistical oversights and miscommunications played a pivotal role. He ties this incident to broader systemic issues within air traffic control, referencing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) policies that may have impacted the hiring and performance of air traffic controllers.

“Trump revisited that issue, but he did it in context. It was very risky... He has had 24 hours to look at the examination. And he's had people in transportation in the Pentagon say, he obviously said, I want to know who the hires were...” [16:32]

2. Critical Evaluation of DEI Policies (16:32 – 25:56)

The conversation shifts to an in-depth critique of DEI initiatives and their effect on meritocracy within governmental agencies.

Hanson shares personal experiences from his time at UC Santa Cruz and Stanford University, illustrating how DEI policies led to the admission of less-qualified individuals over more deserving candidates.

“I had a 3.95 and pretty good SAT scores... Both were, I guess you'd call them in modern parlance, DEI.” [04:24]

He argues that DEI has undermined the quality of professionals in critical roles, such as air traffic controllers, by prioritizing demographic factors over expertise and competence. This, according to Hanson, has tangible consequences, as evidenced by the recent plane crash.

3. Immigration Executive Orders and Repatriation Policies (25:56 – 36:26)

Sammy Wink transitions the discussion to President Trump's recent executive orders on immigration, including the freeze on federal loans and grants, and the aggressive repatriation of immigrants from Colombia and Mexico.

Hanson critiques the administration's handling of immigration, emphasizing the economic and security repercussions:

“Mexican cartels have killed more Americans than all of the wars that we fought in the 20th century and the 21st century.” [36:26]

He highlights the asymmetrical leverage the U.S. holds over Mexico and Colombia, advocating for stricter measures such as tariffs on remittances and enforcing trade balances to curb illegal immigration and cartel influence.

“He can do that very easily... And then he can also say to Ms. Sheinbaum...” [36:25]

Hanson draws parallels between Trump's strategies and those of President Reagan, praising Reagan's decisive actions against the PATCO union as a model for current policies.

4. Confirmation of Kash Patel and Party Dynamics (49:40 – 72:53)

The focus then shifts to the confirmation hearings of Kash Patel, a prominent figure within the Trump administration. Hanson observes the partisan hostility during the hearings, noting attempts by Democrats to discredit Patel by associating him with controversial events like January 6.

“They wanted to drive a wedge between him and Trump... They kept hammering on that.” [49:40]

Hanson praises Patel's composure and loyalty, suggesting that his unwavering support for Trump positions him favorably within the Republican party. He underscores the importance of loyalty and authentic support in political appointments, contrasting it with what he perceives as the Democratic party's instability and internal conflicts.

“Their attitude is basically, I have 53 senator votes and you have none to stop me.” [72:53]

5. Media and Public Perception of Political Figures (59:08 – 83:43)

In the latter part of the episode, Hanson critiques the media's portrayal of conservative figures and the Democratic party's strategies to undermine them. He references Byron York's analysis, which emphasizes the left's difficulty in moderating its opposition to President Trump.

“The left must moderate its instinct to fight every single thing President Trump does. And I don't think they can do it.” [59:13]

Hanson discusses the Discontent within the Democratic party, focusing on figures like Elizabeth Warren and Kash Patel, portraying them as either out of touch or part of the party's broader issues with consistency and loyalty.

He also touches upon the negative impacts of internal party conflicts, suggesting that the Democratic party's struggles are rooted in their inability to present a unified and coherent message, thereby losing public support.

6. Influencer Commentary and Societal Implications (73:06 – 83:43)

Towards the end, Hanson addresses comments made by influencers, such as Selena Gomez, regarding immigration enforcement and ICE operations. He criticizes the conflation of illegal immigration with criminal activity, arguing that such rhetoric perpetuates tribalism and undermines national security.

“If you're an American, your allegiance is not with Americans, no matter what they look like... So when she said my people, all she does is confirm a stereotype that she's a tribalist.” [73:25]

Hanson underscores the importance of prioritizing American citizens' welfare while maintaining strict immigration controls, advocating for policies that differentiate between lawful immigrants and those who pose security threats.

Notable Quotes

• “In all these situations, there's fundamental causation and proximate causation... Whoever ordered that training mission with people who were either training or retraining to get anywhere near that corridor is culpable.” – Victor Davis Hanson [04:24]

• “Trump revisited that issue, but he did it in context. It was very risky... He has had 24 hours to look at the examination.” – Victor Davis Hanson [16:32]

• “Mexican cartels have killed more Americans than all of the wars that we fought in the 20th century and the 21st century.” – Victor Davis Hanson [36:26]

• “Their attitude is basically, I have 53 senator votes and you have none to stop me.” – Victor Davis Hanson [72:53]

• “If you're an American, your allegiance is not with Americans, no matter what they look like... So when she said my people, all she does is confirm a stereotype that she's a tribalist.” – Victor Davis Hanson [73:25]

Conclusion

In this episode, Victor Davis Hanson and Sammy Wink provide a critical examination of recent events, intertwining current news with historical perspectives and personal experiences. They emphasize the importance of meritocracy, strict immigration policies, and loyalty within political appointments. The hosts argue that these factors are crucial for maintaining national security, economic stability, and effective governance.

Listeners are encouraged to critically assess DEI policies, immigration reforms, and the integrity of political nominations, while also reflecting on the broader implications of party dynamics and media influence on public perception.

Note: This summary excludes advertisements and non-content sections to focus solely on the substantive discussions presented by the hosts.