Podcast Summary: The Victor Davis Hanson Show Episode Title: The Lame-Duck Period: Right Revolution, Left Devolution
Release Date: December 26, 2024
Hosts: Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler

Introduction

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, reflecting on the current state of American politics amidst the lame-duck period. The conversation is marked by a critical examination of left-wing strategies, right-wing resilience, and the shifting dynamics within the political landscape. Key topics include the scrutiny of Elon Musk by the left, the controversy surrounding student loan forgiveness, President Joe Biden’s recent pardon moves, Anthony Fauci’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic, a terrorist attack in Germany, and San Francisco’s appointment of a "weight czar."

Elon Musk Under Left-Wing Scrutiny

Timestamps: 04:13 - 19:16

The episode opens with a robust discussion on Elon Musk, who has become a focal point of left-wing opposition. Hanson critiques the left's inconsistent stance on wealthy individuals, highlighting the double standards applied to figures like George Soros and Mark Zuckerberg compared to Musk.

• Victor Davis Hanson (04:34): “In this age of litigation, I have to be very careful, but I think she suggested on the view that J.D. Vance and Musk had taken over and they were going to get rid of Trump.”

Hanson argues that the left's animosity toward Musk stems from his influential role and independence, particularly after his acquisition of Twitter (now rebranded as X). He underscores Musk’s contributions to technology and space exploration, portraying him as a revolutionary figure who has advanced industries significantly.

• Hanson (05:10): “He revolutionized social media in the United States. Then he took Tesla, broke into the car market at that level, and revolutionized the space industry.”

Jack Fowler adds context by mentioning Congressman Richie Torres, a Democrat from the Bronx, who criticizes both Democratic policies and figures like Governor Hochul, suggesting potential bipartisan support for reform-minded candidates like Torres.

Student Loan Forgiveness and Educational Reform

Timestamps: 35:11 - 36:00

A significant portion of the discussion centers on President Biden’s efforts to forgive student loans, specifically highlighting the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program. Hanson criticizes the program, arguing that it led to inflated tuition rates and burdened students with excessive debt.

• Hanson (35:11): “The universities, once this program came in and guaranteed federal loans, if you look, you'll see a sharp increase in the rate of tuition inflation.”

He contends that the education system misleads students about the true cost and employment prospects of various majors, pushing them into debt without adequate counseling or transparency. Hanson predicts a potential rollback of such forgiveness programs, advocating for a system where educational costs are transparently presented, and the federal government ceases to subsidize student loans.

Joe Biden’s Use of Presidential Pardons

Timestamps: 19:48 - 33:15

The hosts transition to a critique of President Joe Biden’s recent pardon actions, which they view as politically motivated and detrimental to the Democratic Party. Hanson suggests that these pardons are designed to undermine Biden’s own party by releasing individuals who can cause chaos and public distrust.

• Hanson (22:18): “The question is not whether who is president, that is Donald Trump is president, but who is making these pardons. We have no idea.”

Jack Fowler references Republican Congressman Richie Torres, praising his stance against Democratic policies and hinting that his reformative efforts might align with right-wing resistance against what they perceive as Biden's overreach.

Hanson further discusses potential pardons of prominent Democrats like Liz Cheney, suggesting that these actions will extend to other key figures within the party, exacerbating internal conflicts and weakening Democratic cohesion.

• Hanson (31:23): “He just said, I'm going to pardon people. And I have two criteria for pardon them. Whatever they can do for the Biden family or the larger friend and associate of the Biden consortium, I'll do it.”

The discussion underscores a belief that Biden’s pardons are not based on justice but rather on reinforcing political alliances and punishing opponents, thereby destabilizing the party from within.

Anthony Fauci and the Origins of COVID-19

Timestamps: 47:11 - 55:31

A contentious segment addresses Dr. Anthony Fauci’s role in the COVID-19 pandemic. Hanson accuses Fauci of authorizing gain-of-function research that allegedly contributed to the pandemic's onset, asserting that Fauci suppressed critical evidence and mismanaged the public health response.

• Hanson (48:17): “The origins of the virus he had a hand in, at least according to the evidence. And he suppressed evidence of that.”

Hanson links Fauci to broader governmental and scientific misconduct, suggesting that Fauci’s actions were central to both the creation and mishandling of the virus outbreak. He criticizes Fauci’s shifting public health messages and the perceived cult of personality surrounding him.

• Hanson (55:31): “What I'm making is that this new Maoist type thinking, all of a sudden it turned everything up. Now the obesity is okay, you're not, you don't mention it.”

The segment reflects a deep mistrust of established scientific authorities and accuses Fauci of prioritizing his career and financial gains over public health.

Terrorist Attack in Germany and Immigration Concerns

Timestamps: 57:06 - 83:20

Towards the end of the episode, Hanson and Fowler discuss a recent terrorist attack in Germany, analyzing its implications on immigration policies and societal tensions. The incident, involving a driver attacking Christmas market attendees, sparks a debate on the integration and oversight of immigrants, particularly those from the Middle East.

• Hanson (68:05): “If you break them, you break them. You're going to go home, you're going to be prosecuted and you're not coming back.”

Hanson emphasizes the importance of enforcing strict immigration controls and background checks to prevent such attacks, arguing that lenient policies embolden individuals with malicious intent. He criticizes European liberal immigration practices and draws parallels to Israel's stringent policies, suggesting that robust oversight is essential for national security.

• Hanson (81:59): “You're going to have to arrest them and we're going to charge them with felonies and we're going to yank their student visas if they do that.”

The conversation extends to broader societal issues, including campus safety, cultural assimilation, and the perceived failure of European nations to effectively manage immigrant populations, which Hanson believes contributes to increased terrorism and social unrest.

San Francisco’s Appointment of a “Weight Czar”

Timestamps: 57:53 - 86:41

In a departure from the previous political topics, Hanson and Fowler address San Francisco’s controversial appointment of Virgie Tovar as the city’s “Weight Czar,” a role aimed at body positivity and fat acceptance.

• Fowler (57:53): “San Francisco Department of Health's new weight czar has gone viral for her proclamation that, quote, no one has to be healthy, end quote.”

Hanson criticizes this appointment as emblematic of a broader cultural shift towards what he describes as "Stalinist Jacobin cultural revolution stuff," arguing that policies now promote victimhood and undermine personal responsibility, particularly concerning health and obesity.

• Hanson (64:24): “It was against the law to a foreign group. You have to have a permit from the National Archaeological Service because they're trying to protect the union guides.”

He links these developments to a perceived erosion of classical liberal values, asserting that such policies discourage healthy living and personal accountability, while promoting a culture of dependency and victimization.

Conclusion

The episode concludes with reflections on the resilience of right-wing movements in the face of left-wing devolution. Hanson and Fowler express optimism about the potential for political reform and the resurgence of conservative principles amidst ongoing cultural and political battles.

• Hanson (87:57): “You know, I live overseas off and on. If you counted the cumulative months, it was close to three years. And I can tell you I was driving in Greece once and it was during the oil embargo and they had even an odd license plates…”

The hosts advocate for stricter immigration policies, educational reforms, and a rejection of what they perceive as overreaching left-wing policies. They emphasize the importance of maintaining cultural integrity, personal responsibility, and robust national security measures to navigate the lame-duck period effectively.

Notable Quotes

• Victor Davis Hanson (04:34): “In this age of litigation, I have to be very careful, but I think she suggested on the view that J.D. Vance and Musk had taken over and they were going to get rid of Trump.”

• Victor Davis Hanson (22:18): “The question is not whether who is president, that is Donald Trump is president, but who is making these pardons. We have no idea.”

• Victor Davis Hanson (35:11): “The universities, once this program came in and guaranteed federal loans, if you look, you'll see a sharp increase in the rate of tuition inflation.”

• Victor Davis Hanson (48:17): “The origins of the virus he had a hand in, at least according to the evidence. And he suppressed evidence of that.”

• Victor Davis Hanson (81:59): “You're going to have to arrest them and we're going to charge them with felonies and we're going to yank their student visas if they do that.”

• Victor Davis Hanson (64:24): “It was against the law to a foreign group. You have to have a permit from the National Archaeological Service because they're trying to protect the union guides.”

Conclusion

This episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show offers a deep dive into the intersection of politics, social policies, and cultural shifts from a conservative perspective. By addressing high-profile figures like Elon Musk and Anthony Fauci, as well as discussing controversial policies on student loans and urban health initiatives, the hosts provide a critical analysis of current events aimed at highlighting perceived discrepancies and advocating for conservative reforms during the lame-duck period.