Podcast Summary: The Victor Davis Hanson Show – "Planes, Brains, and Universities"

Release Date: May 20, 2025

Hosts: Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler

1. Introduction to Key Topics

In this episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show, hosts Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler delve into a range of pressing political and social issues. From the controversial $400 million Qatari gift plane to former President Donald Trump to the ongoing debates surrounding Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in academic institutions, the conversation is both comprehensive and incisive.

2. The $400 Million Qatari Gift Plane to Donald Trump

One of the episode's focal points is the contentious $400 million 747 airplane reportedly gifted by Qatar to Donald Trump. Hanson unpacks the intricacies and controversies surrounding this gift.

Victor Davis Hanson [08:04]: "This whole airplane, the Qatar gift of the $400 million 747, that's just replete with disinformation, misinformation, mystery."

Hanson explains that Qatar originally owned two 747s, retrofitted in an imperial style, but found them economically unviable due to high maintenance costs and outdated models. One plane was reportedly gifted to Turkey, while discussions for gifting another to the United States under the Biden administration fell through, leading to speculations about its intended use for Trump’s foundation.

Victor Davis Hanson [12:15]: "Do you really believe that the Trump Foundation Library will take this huge plane with all these accoutrements in it... it's going to fly around the country or overseas? It’s probably twice as expensive to operate."

Hanson argues that the likelihood of the plane being operational under the Trump Foundation is minimal, suggesting it will remain a museum piece similar to the Reagan-era 747.

3. Critique of FBI Leadership and Investigations

A significant portion of the discussion targets the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and its leadership, highlighting perceived misconduct and inefficiencies.

Victor Davis Hanson [13:01]: "Senator Mark Wayne Mullen... has been a regular now on the evening Fox News shows."

Hanson criticizes successive FBI directors—Robert Mueller, James Comey, Andrew McCabe, and Christopher Wray—for various controversies, including mishandling investigations, ethical breaches, and political biases. He laments the FBI’s shift from its foundational principles, attributing its decline to internal politics and lack of accountability.

Victor Davis Hanson [32:37]: "Can hardly wait."

Hanson emphasizes the need for reform within the FBI, suggesting decentralization to places like Oklahoma City or Little Rock to mitigate Washington D.C.'s entrenched political elite influence.

4. DEI Issues in Universities

The conversation transitions to the pervasive influence of DEI initiatives in higher education, with a particular focus on Harvard University.

Victor Davis Hanson [70:35]: "What it is was the old affirmative action... it was expanded to other self-described victimized groups... the number of victimized is growing."

Hanson traces DEI’s evolution from affirmative action, arguing that its expansion has led to systemic discrimination against non-targeted groups, particularly white males. He criticizes universities for prioritizing racial and gender diversity over meritocratic principles, leading to compromised academic standards and ethical violations.

Victor Davis Hanson [73:42]: "They have systematically and serially violated the 2022 Supreme Court ruling."

Hanson asserts that institutions like Harvard are deeply culpable for perpetuating anti-Semitic sentiments and harboring biases that undermine academic integrity and societal cohesion.

5. Five-Year Reflection on George Floyd Riots

Marking the fifth anniversary of the George Floyd protests, Hanson reflects on the long-term impacts of the unrest and ensuing policy changes.

Victor Davis Hanson [18:02]: "They destroyed the universities, they destroyed the downtowns, they destroyed racial relations... We went completely crazy."

Hanson contends that the riots and subsequent political reactions have eroded societal trust, disrupted economic stability, and fostered racial tribalism. He criticizes the media and political leaders for exacerbating divisions and undermining national unity.

6. James Comey Controversy

Further dissecting FBI controversies, the hosts focus on former FBI Director James Comey, scrutinizing his actions and public statements.

Victor Davis Hanson [41:22]: "What is he doing taking pictures of seashells that he's obviously arranged himself?"

Hanson questions Comey's recent behavior, including his depiction of mysterious messages through seashell arrangements on beaches—a gesture he interprets as a promotional stunt for Comey's upcoming novel. He underscores Comey's repeated instances of dishonesty and ethical breaches during his tenure.

7. Recent Judicial Cases Against Public Figures

The podcast also touches upon recent legal actions involving public figures, such as Judge Hannah Dugan and Representative Monica McIver.

Victor Davis Hanson [52:58]: "They either broke, either committed a felony or they didn't."

Hanson defends the justice system's actions against these individuals, attributing their alleged misconduct to ideological biases and a disregard for the rule of law. He portrays these cases as emblematic of broader systemic issues within governmental and judicial institutions.

8. Concluding Remarks

In his closing remarks, Hanson reiterates his stance against DEI practices and advocates for a return to merit-based systems. He emphasizes the necessity for cultural cohesion in a multi-racial society and warns against the divisive implications of current policies.

Victor Davis Hanson [76:34]: "I don't think it's ever going to work again. I think people are going to..."

Hanson concludes by calling for a unified national culture where race is incidental, not essential, to individual identity and societal roles.

Notable Quotes:

• Victor Davis Hanson [08:04]: "This isn't just inflation. It could be the early stages of a currency crisis."

• Victor Davis Hanson [13:01]: "Senator Mark Wayne Mullen... has been a regular now on the evening Fox News shows."

• Victor Davis Hanson [32:37]: "Can hardly wait."

• Victor Davis Hanson [70:35]: "What it is was the old affirmative action... it was expanded to other self-described victimized groups..."

• Victor Davis Hanson [73:42]: "They have systematically and serially violated the 2022 Supreme Court ruling."

• Victor Davis Hanson [52:58]: "They either broke, either committed a felony or they didn't."

• Victor Davis Hanson [76:34]: "I don't think it's ever going to work again. I think people are going to..."

This episode offers a critical examination of institutional dynamics within government agencies and educational institutions, underscored by a call for reform and a return to foundational meritocratic and ethical standards.