The Victor Davis Hanson Show: Episode Summary
Title: The New Movement: Art, Immigration and Diplomacy
Release Date: December 24, 2024
Hosts: Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler
Guest: Justin Schubao, President of the National Civic Arts Society
1. Introduction
In this episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show, hosts Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler engage in a profound discussion with Justin Schubao, the President of the National Civic Arts Society. The conversation delves into the resurgence of classical traditions in American public art and architecture, the current state of immigration policy, and the anticipated cultural shifts under Donald Trump's potential next administration.
2. Revitalizing Classical Tradition in Public Art and Architecture
Justin Schubao spearheads a movement aimed at restoring classical traditions in American public art and architecture. Emphasizing the enduring legacy of works like the Lincoln and Jefferson Memorials, Schubao argues that these classical designs not only honor historical figures but also embody the heroism and valor inherent in American culture.
Justin Schubao [08:29]: "My organization believes that the greatest celebratory commemorative works are those done in the classical tradition... It's a victory memorial, and I think, well, I'm hoping that it will change the direction of American commemorative works."
3. Critique of Modernism in Memorial Design
The conversation critiques modernist and minimalist approaches in recent memorials, such as the controversial design of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the proposed Eisenhower Memorial by Frank Gehry. Schubao highlights the lack of heroic representation in modern designs and advocates for more traditional, symbolically rich sculptures that resonate with the public.
Justin Schubao [11:52]: "So we launched and led a campaign to stop the proposed design for that memorial by Frank Gehry... Congress objected so much that it upheld funding for four years."
4. Anticipated Cultural and Artistic Policies Under Trump
Looking ahead to a potential Trump administration, the hosts and Schubao discuss expected shifts towards classical aesthetics in federal buildings and public spaces. They anticipate a reversal of Biden-era policies that favored modernist architecture, with Trump likely reinstating executive orders that prioritize beauty and tradition in public works.
Justin Schubao [14:21]: "Trump recognized this problem and issued this amazing executive order that was widely hailed. Unfortunately, almost immediately after taking office, Biden rescinded it."
5. The Role of the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
Schubao outlines his vision for the NEA, proposing initiatives that celebrate American civic architecture and fund competitions for new monuments reflecting traditional values. He underscores the importance of supporting artists who can create meaningful, symbolic works rather than abstract or minimalist pieces.
Justin Schubao [16:58]: "I think that the NEA needs to give grants to the most talented artists... We need to find the talent where it is."
6. Immigration Policy and Border Security
A significant portion of the episode is dedicated to immigration reform. The hosts and Schubao critique current policies, advocating for stringent measures to curb illegal immigration. They discuss strategies such as enforcing deportations, reinstating the border wall, and implementing taxes on remittances to discourage illegal entry.
Victor Davis Hanson [31:03]: "It's pure nihilism... The people have spoken. The wall came up in the campaign."
Schubao further elaborates on actionable steps, including:
- Deportation Iterations: Targeting multiple waves of illegal immigrants based on their residency duration and employment status.
- Ending Birthright Citizenship: Revisiting the 14th Amendment to reduce incentives for illegal entry.
- Economic Measures: Imposing taxes on remittances to Mexico and Central America to fund border security initiatives.
Justin Schubao [44:39]: "We need to stop that, believe me, we would remove an enormous incentive of people coming here deliberately to have a baby so they could anchor relatives, etc."
7. Public Opinion and Political Feasibility
The discussion highlights robust public support for deportation and border security measures, citing polls where up to 65% of Americans favor stricter immigration controls. This support is portrayed as politically advantageous for implementing comprehensive immigration reforms.
Jack Fowler [44:39]: "Before the election I saw some polling numbers. 62, 65. Somewhere in there, percent of Americans favor deportation."
8. International Relations and Diplomatic Stances
The episode touches on recent tensions between Poland and Israel, where Poland threatened to arrest Israel’s Prime Minister during a commemorative visit to Auschwitz. The hosts express strong support for Israel and anticipate that a Trump administration would stand firmly against such international provocations.
Victor Davis Hanson [66:03]: "If you don't see that and you want to jail the person who was a government, the prime minister whose country was attacked, then just don't come here for a while."
9. Media and Cultural Shifts
Victor and Jack critique the current state of media and entertainment, lamenting the shift towards "WOKE" culture in journalism and filmmaking. They argue that this trend undermines artistic integrity and quality, favoring political agendas over genuine creativity.
Victor Davis Hanson [85:17]: "It's all Sovietization. Every time you go to a Hollywood movie... It's art for the sake of politics."
10. Conclusion and Final Thoughts
As the episode wraps up, the hosts reflect on the cultural battles being fought and express optimism about the potential for restoration and revitalization under Trump's leadership. They emphasize the importance of maintaining classical standards in art and architecture and implementing effective immigration policies to preserve America's cultural and structural integrity.
Victor Davis Hanson [91:08]: "Donald Trump is saying, the madness is over. We're going to fund buildings that look like classical, beautiful buildings... We're going to see art that looks what our eyes see."
Notable Quotes with Timestamps
- Justin Schubao [08:29]: “My organization believes that the greatest celebratory commemorative works are those done in the classical tradition...”
- Justin Schubao [11:52]: “We launched and led a campaign to stop the proposed design for that memorial by Frank Gehry...”
- Justin Schubao [14:21]: “Trump recognized this problem and issued this amazing executive order...”
- Justin Schubao [16:58]: “I think that the NEA needs to give grants to the most talented artists...”
- Victor Davis Hanson [31:03]: “It's pure nihilism... The people have spoken. The wall came up in the campaign.”
- Justin Schubao [44:39]: “We need to stop that, believe me, we would remove an enormous incentive of people coming here deliberately to have a baby...”
- Victor Davis Hanson [66:03]: “If you don't see that and you want to jail the person who was a government, the prime minister whose country was attacked, then just don't come here for a while.”
- Victor Davis Hanson [85:17]: “It's all Sovietization... It's art for the sake of politics.”
- Victor Davis Hanson [91:08]: “Donald Trump is saying, the madness is over. We're going to fund buildings that look like classical, beautiful buildings...”
Conclusion
This episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show serves as a comprehensive exploration of the intersections between art, immigration, and diplomacy in contemporary America. Through insightful dialogue with Justin Schubao, the discussion underscores a pivotal movement towards restoring classical aesthetics and implementing stringent immigration reforms, all while navigating the complex landscape of modern cultural and political challenges.