The Victor Davis Hanson Show: Episode Summary – "The Coming Administration"
Release Date: December 6, 2024
In the December 6, 2024 episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show, host Victor Davis Hanson and co-host Jack Fowler delve deep into the political landscape shaping the upcoming administration. The episode, titled "The Coming Administration," navigates through contentious topics such as Cash Patel's nomination, Hunter Biden's pardon, and the intricate dynamics of U.S. foreign relations with Canada and Mexico. Below is a comprehensive summary capturing the essence of their discussions, enriched with notable quotes and timestamps for reference.
1. Introduction
The episode kicks off with Victor introducing the key topics slated for discussion, including significant figures like Cash Patel, Hunter Biden, and international leaders Justin Trudeau and Claudia Sheinbaum. He sets the stage for an in-depth analysis of current political and social events.
Notable Quote:
"This is the Blade of Perseus. This is the Friday news roundup for the Victor Davis Hansen show and we've got Cash Patel, Hunter Biden and Justin Trudeau on deck."
[00:25] — Jack Fowler
2. Cash Patel's Nomination and Controversy
Victor and Jack delve into the nomination of Cash Patel, highlighting the controversies surrounding him. Victor defends Patel's credentials, emphasizing his extensive experience in the Department of Defense (DoD) and the Department of Justice (DOJ). He criticizes the opposition's attempts to undermine Patel by questioning his affiliation with the FBI, drawing parallels to previous political figures targeted by hostile agencies.
Notable Quotes:
"Cash Patel and his team of investigators... found that the FBI was paying Christopher Steele as an informant."
[03:00] — Victor Davis Hanson
"He has . . . He's a very brilliant guy and you know, he has a photographic memory and he's fearless."
[05:45] — Victor Davis Hanson
"He's going to say, there's a lot of corruption. And I think the FBI is very upset because there's a lot of dissident FBI agents and they have really been angry at Robert Mueller."
[10:30] — Victor Davis Hanson
3. Hunter Biden's Pardon and Implications
The discussion shifts to President Joe Biden's pardon of his son, Hunter Biden. Victor criticizes the pardon, arguing that it absolves Hunter and the entire Biden family of potential legal repercussions for various alleged crimes. He contends that this move undermines the rule of law and equates it to providing immunity, effectively ending any legal challenges against the Bidens.
Notable Quotes:
"Joe Biden was not going to pardon Hunter, but they did it emphatically so and they did it in the context of rule of law."
[23:50] — Victor Davis Hanson
"This is a pardon for the entire Biden family, because remember, if you look at the contents and I got the contents of the laptop, it is the most incriminating document."
[26:38] — Victor Davis Hanson
"Now it's a pardon for Joe Biden and the entire family for a whole decade of malfeasance."
[27:28] — Victor Davis Hanson
4. Visits to Mar a Lago by Justin Trudeau and Claudia Sheinbaum
Victor and Jack examine recent visits by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum to Donald Trump's Mar a Lago estate. They interpret these visits as indicative of shifting alliances and strategic negotiations, suggesting that these leaders recognize Trump's influence and are seeking favorable deals amidst turbulent geopolitical climates.
Notable Quotes:
"Trump is holding court and some of his recent visitors have been Justin Trudeau from Canada and the Mexican president, who is Claudia Sheinbaum."
[39:02] — Jack Fowler
"The hated Orange man fascist dictator who's going to destroy the world is not that at all."
[41:53] — Victor Davis Hanson
"Trump says, just come in and help us. Save us."
[46:14] — Victor Davis Hanson
5. Foreign Policy Insights: Canada and Mexico
The conversation delves into the complexities of U.S. relationships with Canada and Mexico. Victor critiques current policies, alleging that previous administrations have been naive and complicit in allowing foreign interference through trade, immigration, and illicit activities like drug trafficking. He asserts that Trump’s confrontational stance is a necessary corrective to these systemic issues.
Notable Quotes:
"Mexico knows exactly what They're Doing. So Trump comes across."
[46:14] — Victor Davis Hanson
"The Mexican government, it's said that the cartels own El Paso and many other towns in Arizona, New Mexico and Texas and even further north."
[75:41] — Jack Fowler
"Trump could say Mexico paid for the wall by their remittances."
[47:20] — Victor Davis Hanson
6. Ukraine and Related Political Events
Victor touches upon the situation in Ukraine, mentioning its decision to cede territory and Trump's invitation to Paris for Notre Dame's inauguration. He expresses skepticism about Biden's foreign policy, contrasting it with Trump's more assertive approach, and raises concerns about ongoing conflicts and international relations.
Notable Quotes:
"Ukraine announces it will cede territory to it's willing to cede territory Russia."
[53:59] — Jack Fowler
"Why don’t they invoke the Logan act?"
[53:59] — Victor Davis Hanson
"If you were elected president and I had done what I had done to him and I was now on the receiving end, I know what I would do."
[58:38] — Victor Davis Hanson
7. Internal Critique of the Democratic Party
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to critiquing the Democratic Party. Victor argues that the party has been hijacked by extreme left-wing factions and that their strategies, including lawfare and media manipulation, have alienated the general populace. He contends that internal failures and unachievable policy promises have led to the party's decline, emphasizing a disconnect between the party's agenda and the average American's needs.
Notable Quotes:
"The Democratic Party is dead, has been hijacked and it's run by the Silicon Valley left wing billionaires."
[64:14] — Victor Davis Hanson
"They are the most disdainful of the middle class by this smug degree."
[72:24] — Victor Davis Hanson
"They have a contempt for the voting population. They are so stupid, they will never know. But they found out they were wrong on that."
[70:42] — Jack Fowler
8. Closing Remarks
In the concluding segments, Victor and Jack reflect on the ideological battles shaping America’s future. They emphasize the importance of the middle and working classes, criticizing elite detachment and championing practical leadership. The episode wraps up with acknowledgments to listeners and a final nod to the resilience of the American populace.
Notable Quotes:
"Thank you. No one important."
[75:41] — Jack Fowler
"You're not nobody. Everybody's somebody."
[76:05] — Victor Davis Hanson
"Thank you, everybody, for listening."
[77:31] — Jack Fowler
Conclusion
This episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show offers a fervent critique of current political figures and policies, advocating for a shift towards leadership that aligns more closely with the working and middle classes. Through detailed analysis and pointed commentary, Victor and Jack provide listeners with a perspective that challenges prevailing narratives, urging a reevaluation of both domestic and international strategies as the nation approaches a pivotal administrative transition.
Disclaimer: The summary above is based on the provided transcript and is intended to capture the key discussions and viewpoints expressed by the hosts. It aims to present the content objectively for informational purposes.