The Victor Davis Hanson Show: Tariffs, Taking the Knee, and Remedial Courses

Release Date: April 8, 2025
Hosts: Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler

1. Personal Health Update

Victor Davis Hanson opens the episode with a brief personal update, discussing his recent battle with a sinus infection and his disdain for antibiotics.
Victor (02:27): "I hate antibiotics."

2. Tariffs and Trump's Enduring Popularity

The primary focus of the episode revolves around the implementation of tariffs and the surprising resilience of former President Trump's popularity despite economic fluctuations.

• Stock Market Performance:
  Victor contrasts the stock market's growth under Trump and Biden, highlighting a 65% increase during Trump's tenure compared to a 55% rise under Biden. He emphasizes that while Wall Street thrived, wage growth lagged significantly.
  Victor (07:45): "They went up 65% under Trump... under Biden, they went up another 6,000 [units], totaling about a 25% increase."

• Wealth Distribution:
  Discussing the concentration of wealth, Victor points out that the top 1% of Americans own 93% of the stocks, leaving the bottom 50% with a mere 1% ownership. This disparity explains why tariffs, which theoretically benefit workers, don't translate into proportional wage increases.

• Tariffs' Impact and Historical Context:
  Victor debunks the notion that tariffs lead to economic downturns, referencing the Smoot-Hawley Act and historical recessions. He argues that past economic crises were driven by factors like speculative Wall Street practices and subprime mortgages, not tariffs.
  Victor (15:03): "I can't think of one recession or depression that was caused by excessive tariffs."

• Trump's Tariff Strategy:
  Trump's tariffs are portrayed as a tool to demand equity and reduce trade deficits, aiming to balance budgets and strengthen the U.S.'s negotiating position internationally. Victor believes Trump's approach is effective in garnering respect and influencing foreign policy.
  Victor (18:29): "Why did he do it? He wants to get in Trump's mind... If he can cut 500 billion out of Doge this year... he thinks he can get close to balancing the budget."

3. Government Fraud and Economic Forecast

Victor delves into concerns about significant government fraud uncovered by the Department of Government Efficiency, estimating losses at $115 billion and predicting a looming recession as fraudulent economic support evaporates.

• Historical Reliability of Gold:
  Emphasizing the importance of safeguarding retirement savings, Victor advocates for investing in physical gold, asserting its reliability during economic uncertainties.
  Victor (20:17): "I want to buy it as soon as I can afford it, but right now it's all in here."

4. Immigration and Its Economic Ramifications

The discussion shifts to the impact of illegal immigration on local economies and government resources.

• Strain on Public Services:
  Victor highlights how the influx of illegal immigrants burdens local healthcare and social services, citing personal experiences with difficulty accessing medical appointments due to overwhelmed systems.
  Victor (21:59): "Thousands of people in central California... swamped all of these services."

• Economic Outflow:
  He points out the substantial financial outflow to countries like Mexico, emphasizing remittances and illicit transfers that drain the U.S. economy.
  Victor (15:03): "He's saying we're sending too much money out of the country."

• National Security Concerns:
  Victor links immigration to national security, noting foreign investments by adversarial nations near U.S. military bases and the strategic implications thereof.

5. Social Issues: Transgender Athletes and Military Standards

Victor addresses controversies surrounding transgender athletes in sports and the integration of women in combat roles.

• Transgender Athletes in Sports:
  Highlighting the expulsion of a transgender athlete from a fencing tournament, Victor criticizes the current narratives and policies that prioritize gender identity over fair competition.
  Victor (35:21): "Stephanie Turner... took a knee rather than fight the tran... and she was expelled from the tournament."

• Women in Combat:
  The discussion extends to physical standards in the military, questioning the feasibility of women meeting the same physical requirements as men in combat roles. Victor underscores the biological differences that impact performance and safety on the battlefield.
  Victor (38:42): "Men in combat are physically stronger. I'm not saying they're smarter but they're physically stronger and you have to protect everybody."

6. Educational Standards and Harvard's Remedial Courses

Victor critiques the decline in educational standards at elite institutions like Harvard, now offering remedial math courses to freshmen.

• Declining Academic Rigor:
  He attributes the need for remedial courses to the pandemic-induced relaxation of standardized testing and grade inflation, which have diluted academic standards.
  Victor (41:39): "They either had to inflate the grades... or they have to introduce new ones because if they don't, given their admissions, then you're going to be called a systemic racist."

• Impact on Workforce Readiness:
  Victor laments that graduates from these institutions often lack foundational skills, making them less prepared for the workforce and diminishing the value of their degrees.
  Victor (46:38): "They can't read anything... nobody could read anything."

7. Proxy Voting in Congress

The episode touches on the debate over allowing Congress members to vote by proxy, particularly for new parents.

• Republican Concerns:
  Victor recognizes that while he sees no inherent issue with proxy voting, Republicans may struggle with the messaging, as it conflicts with the Trump administration's emphasis on physical presence and accountability.
  Victor (64:37): "If a Democrat says, well, I want no restrictions... you have to vote that way... It's a messaging problem."

8. NPR Funding and Bias

Victor provides a critical analysis of NPR's funding structure, arguing that despite claims of minimal government support, NPR relies heavily on federal funds funneled through regional stations.

• Misrepresentation of Funding Sources:
  He contends that NPR's assertion of receiving only 1-2% federal funding is misleading, as most of its budget comes indirectly from government money via regional stations.
  Victor (68:35): "The federal government gives most of the money... they can claim they only have 1 or 2% federal funds."

• Call for Market Competition:
  Victor suggests that diversified and competitive media options would provide a more balanced perspective, reducing NPR's influence.
  Victor (73:01): "If you turn on Direct TV... it's everywhere, thousands of stations."

9. Listener Interactions and Closing Remarks

The episode concludes with listener feedback, showcasing appreciation for Victor's insights and addressing some of the personal anecdotes shared by both hosts.

• Positive Listener Feedback:
  Listeners commend the show's substance and Victor's depth of knowledge.
  Listener (75:35): "Listening to Victor since I first listened to him making sense of politics of the 1980s on the Art Bell Show... you are so appreciated."

• Addressing Criticism:
  Victor acknowledges receiving negative feedback but emphasizes the increasing volume of inflammatory messages from disgruntled listeners.
  Victor (76:08): "I've had about 100 of them in my life... there's a lot."

• Personal Stories:
  The hosts share personal anecdotes, adding a relatable and human touch to the episode.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

• Victor (07:45): "They went up 65% under Trump... under Biden, they went up another 6,000 [units], totaling about a 25% increase."
• Victor (15:03): "I can't think of one recession or depression that was caused by excessive tariffs."
• Victor (21:59): "Thousands of people in central California... swamped all of these services."
• Victor (35:21): "Stephanie Turner... took a knee rather than fight the tran... and she was expelled from the tournament."
• Victor (46:38): "They can't read anything... nobody could read anything."
• Victor (68:35): "The federal government gives most of the money... they can claim they only have 1 or 2% federal funds."
• Victor (73:01): "If you turn on Direct TV... it's everywhere, thousands of stations."

Conclusion

In this episode, Victor Davis Hanson provides a comprehensive analysis of contemporary political and economic issues, interweaving discussions on tariffs, government fraud, immigration, social policies, and educational standards. His insights challenge prevailing narratives and advocate for policies that prioritize economic equity and national security. The episode underscores the complexities of modern governance and societal changes, offering listeners a nuanced perspective grounded in historical context and empirical data.