The Victor Davis Hanson Show

Episode: The Heroism of Churchill in 1940
Date: September 20, 2025
Hosts: Victor Davis Hanson, Jack Fowler

Episode Overview

This episode of the Victor Davis Hanson Show delivers a sweeping discussion of current political issues before deep-diving into Winston Churchill’s leadership during Britain’s darkest year, 1940. Victor, a historian, explores widespread misunderstandings about Churchill’s choices, the realities of WWII strategy, and why Churchill’s refusal to seek terms with Hitler was not only courageous but pivotal to the outcome of the war. The conversation also touches on Antifa, the aftermath of high-profile assassinations, the upcoming election, and California politics.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Current News: The Charlie Kirk Assassin Case

Timestamps: 04:58 – 13:42

• The media’s shifting narrative around the suspect, with Victor criticizing the left for cycling through explanations (mental illness, the gun, MAGA, a love story, indifference).
• Examination of the Gen Z demographic’s anger and alienation, citing Dr. Scott Atlas’ article about the psychological fallout from COVID-19 lockdowns.

  “A whole generation was warped by the lockdown and the shut-in.” – Victor (08:38)

• Discussion of cultural influences (video games, online subcultures) on youth behavior.

2. Violence and the Media Reaction

Timestamps: 09:02 – 13:42

• Analysis of the media’s allegedly tacit approval of violence against political opponents.
• The FCC’s role in regulating public airwaves compared to social media; public outrage at celebratory or misleading coverage following political violence.

  “The long and the short of it is we’re morally superior, we’re intellectually superior. We can do this to all of you. We can say this, but you can’t dare say this about us.” – Victor (12:44)

3. Trump, Antifa, and Political Violence

Timestamps: 15:43 – 22:49

• Trump's designation of Antifa as a terrorist organization, with discussion about the challenges in defining and prosecuting such loosely organized movements.
• Reference to Andy Ngo’s reporting on Antifa’s tactics and symbols, noting overlap in bullet engravings and symbolism.
• Victor links Antifa and similar groups to broader “market value” analogies—suggesting cultural and media personalities misunderstand their own impact and audience.

4. Trump’s State Visit to the UK and Views on the British Empire

Timestamps: 23:21 – 29:58

• Trump’s affinity for the UK, respect for the British monarchy, and defense of the British Empire as the “most enlightened” among historical empires.

  “When you compare the British Empire to the Spanish Empire or the Ottoman Empire ... it was about the most enlightened entity there was.” – Victor (24:14)

• Critical contrast with Obama’s “apology tour” and his perceived detachment from American and British institutions.

5. Deep Dive: The Heroism of Churchill in 1940

Timestamps: 30:44 – 52:18

Background and Historical Context

• Recent revisionist takes on WWII suggest Hitler was only interested in fighting Soviet communism and that Churchill’s resistance was misguided.
• Victor forcefully rebuts these views, laying out the events from the invasion of Poland, Denmark, Norway, and the fall of France.
• Churchill’s rise: After Chamberlain’s resignation on the eve of the German invasion of France, Churchill became Prime Minister at a moment of national crisis.

Churchill’s Unique Courage and Strategic Wisdom

• For over a year (May 1940 – June 1941), Britain stood alone against Nazi Germany; neither the US nor the USSR was yet involved.
• Churchill rejected offers (via Mussolini) to negotiate with Hitler, despite overwhelming pressure and the fall of most of Europe.

  “He said, whether we like it or not, we can defeat—at least they can’t beat us because we have the world’s largest navy.” – Victor (35:23)

• British strengths: The Royal Navy (invulnerable to Germany), ongoing air production, and worldwide Empire.

The Mediterranean and North Africa

• Churchill refused to cede the Mediterranean, defending Malta and Suez, and scored initial victories against Italian forces.
• Hitler's decision to invade the USSR, while entangled in Greece, Yugoslavia, and North Africa, critically overextended German resources.

The Battle of Britain

• Hitler’s sustained air assault (Battle of Britain) failed due to technical limitations and the resilience of the RAF.
• The inability of Germany to achieve air or naval supremacy allowed Britain to remain unconquered, setting the stage for both Soviet and American entry into the war.

Counterargument to Revisionist Claims

• Revisionists argue that had Churchill sued for peace, Europe would have been subjugated by Nazis (possibly as a bulwark against communism).
• Victor counters this as a “lunatic view ... morally bankrupt,” highlighting the genocidal intent and record of Nazi Germany.

  “He [Churchill] was the only person that kept the Allied... If he had folded, the war would have been over.” – Victor (38:28)

Soviet “Ally” and Betrayals

• The USSR only joined the Allies after being attacked. Before that, it kept its nonaggression pacts (with Germany and Japan), even while receiving Allied aid.
• The Soviets later betrayed Western promises in Eastern Europe post-war—a cautionary tale about alliances of convenience.

Was Victory Over the Soviet Union Possible for Germany?
(41:10 – 52:18)

• Strategic breakdown of why diverting resources to North Africa and the Balkans undermined Hitler’s eastern campaign.
• Victor argues that a different allocation of resources might have allowed the Axis to threaten Suez—and thus seriously injure Britain—but it’s unlikely the Nazi-Soviet war could have ended in German victory due to logistical and strategic overreach.

6. California Politics: Proposition 50 and Redistricting

Timestamps: 61:44 – 68:18

• Discussion of Governor Newsom’s effort to change redistricting to benefit Democrats, possibly flipping five Congressional seats.
• Criticism of partisan hypocrisy—Democrats previously praised “nonpartisan redistricting commissions,” but now aim for outright gerrymandering.

  “Are they going to be happy when Newsom comes along and says get rid of the veneer? We’re just hacks.” – Victor (64:02)

• Implications for national midterms and for Newsom’s own political future.

7. Reflections on Robert Redford

Timestamps: 68:31 – 71:51

• Redford’s passing noted; Victor respects his screen presence despite not rating him a “great actor.”
• Praises Redford’s choice to age naturally and his understated film charisma, likening him to Brad Pitt.

8. Letters from Listeners & Farming Life

Timestamps: 71:56 – END

• A heartfelt reflection on raisin farming and the challenges posed by unseasonal rain, with local listener correspondence from California’s Central Valley.
• Special mention of a 93-year-old listener whose family participated in Spitfire production and service during WWII—emphasizing the generation’s heroism.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• “A whole generation was warped by the lockdown and the shut-in.” — Victor, on Gen Z and COVID-19 fallout (08:38)
• “The long and the short of it is we’re morally superior, we’re intellectually superior [...] They’re like little adolescents.” — Victor, on selective outrage in media (12:44)
• “If he had folded, the war would have been over.” — Victor, on Churchill’s resolve (38:28)
• “It’s really a lunatic view because it’s morally bankrupt.” — Victor, on WWII revisionism (41:11)
• “He was the only person that kept the Allied... If he had folded, the war would have been over.” (38:28)
• “When you compare the British Empire to the Spanish Empire or the Ottoman Empire ... it was about the most enlightened entity there was.” (24:14)

Segment Timestamps

• 04:58 – 13:42: Charlie Kirk Assassination, Media Narratives, Gen Z
• 15:43 – 22:49: Trump & Antifa, Political Violence, Market Value in Media
• 23:21 – 29:58: Trump’s UK Visit & The British Empire
• 30:44 – 52:18: Churchill’s Leadership in 1940, WWII Strategy & Revisionism
• 61:44 – 68:18: Gavin Newsom, California Proposition 50, Gerrymandering
• 68:31 – 71:51: Robert Redford’s Legacy
• 71:56 – End: Listener Letters, Reflections on Agricultural Life

Tone and Style

Throughout, Victor’s tone is scholarly, passionate, and at times caustically critical, particularly toward media, revisionist historians, and political opponents. The episode balances dense, thoughtful history with present-day political commentary, blending personal reminiscence (as regarding farming and WWII generations) with incisive analysis.