Podcast Summary: The Victor Davis Hanson Show – Episode: "Trolling and Investigating Trump"

Release Date: January 9, 2025
Hosts: Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler

Introduction

In the episode titled "Trolling and Investigating Trump," hosts Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler delve into the intricate interplay between political honors bestowed by President Joe Biden and the ongoing legal challenges faced by former President Donald Trump. The discussion navigates through the motivations behind awarding prestigious medals to select individuals, the perceived targeting of Trump by the Biden administration, and broader implications for American politics and societal norms.

Presidential Honors and Political Messaging

Overview:
Victor and Jack examine the recent conferral of the Presidential Citizens Medal and the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Biden, scrutinizing the selection of awardees and the underlying political messages intended by these honors.

Key Points:

• Selection of Awardees: The episode highlights controversial figures such as Liz Cheney, Chris Dodd, Nancy Kassebaum, and Bennie Thompson being honored.
• Political Signaling: The hosts argue that these awards are strategically given to individuals who have actively opposed or criticized Donald Trump, serving as a means to "troll" and undermine his political influence.

Notable Quotes:

• "Liz Cheney would never have gotten that award had she not gone after Donald Trump." – [07:40]
• "Joe Biden is giving her the second highest award, and that's to signal to Donald Trump." – [07:45]

Legal Challenges Against Donald Trump

Overview:
The discussion shifts to the myriad of legal actions taken against Donald Trump, focusing on the impending sentencing by Judge Merchant in New York and the broader narrative of "lawfare" against him.

Key Points:

• Stormy Daniels Case: The episode anticipates Judge Merchant's sentencing of Trump over the Stormy Daniels affair, framing it as a calculated move to label Trump a convicted felon before he potentially returns to office.
• Critique of Judicial Proceedings: Hanson and Fowler critique the impartiality of the judiciary, suggesting that the prosecutions are politically motivated rather than based on genuine legal scrutiny.
• Conspiracy Theories: The hosts discuss alleged conspiracies involving multiple judges and prosecutors working in tandem to target Trump across various legal fronts.

Notable Quotes:

• "Donald Trump is the first convicted felon." – [62:41]
• "They have no moral leg to stand on now after what they've done to this country the last four years." – [71:32]
• "This was all directed at destroying him." – [89:41]

Biden's Energy Policies and Offshore Drilling

Overview:
Victor and Jack analyze President Biden's executive order aimed at permanently blocking new offshore oil and gas development in U.S. coastal waters, interpreting it as a strategic move to hinder Trump's energy agenda post-presidency.

Key Points:

• Executive Order Impact: The order is portrayed as a last-ditch effort by Biden to cement his climate legacy, potentially disrupting Trump’s plans for offshore drilling.
• Political Maneuvering: The hosts suggest that Biden’s actions are designed to undermine Trump’s influence and power base by limiting his ability to reverse these policies upon leaving office.
• Economic Implications: Discussion includes the impact on energy prices, national security, and the broader economy, emphasizing the contentious nature of energy policy in current politics.

Notable Quotes:

• "President Joe Biden is expected to permanently block new offshore and oil and gas development... a last ditch effort to cement his climate legacy." – [75:38]
• "If you don't enforce the same laws on wind and solar as you do on oil and gas companies, it's going to be utter chaos." – [85:27]

Social and Cultural Issues in the UK

Overview:
The conversation extends to international issues, particularly focusing on the United Kingdom's handling of grooming scandals and the role of social media in exposing these problems.

Key Points:

• Grooming Scandals: The hosts discuss high-profile cases of sexual exploitation of minors in the UK, criticizing the government's response and the influence of ideology over justice.
• Elon Musk's Involvement: Highlights Elon Musk’s role in bringing attention to these scandals through his platform, X (formerly Twitter).
• Dei Policies Critique: Hanson and Fowler argue that Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives have undermined law enforcement and societal norms, leading to ineffective responses to serious crimes.

Notable Quotes:

• "If these were young immigrant girls... they would have been executed in Britain." – [52:19]
• "Once you put ideology as the arbiter of everything, then hypocrisy of balance." – [77:14]

The Decline of American Shipbuilding and Industrial Capacity

Overview:
The hosts lament the decline of the American shipbuilding industry, comparing current deficiencies to the robust capabilities demonstrated during World War II.

Key Points:

• Historical Comparison: Reflects on the prolific shipbuilding era of the 1940s, highlighting the nation's ability to produce a vast navy rapidly.
• Current Challenges: Discusses the scarcity of modern shipyards and the inefficiencies plaguing current naval production, including prolonged build times and cost overruns.
• Strategic Weakness: Emphasizes the strategic vulnerabilities this decline poses to national security and the ability to project power internationally.

Notable Quotes:

• "We can't even make 300 now. So we had the best shipyards in the world... It's so sad to see all of that generation's brilliance just be squandered." – [49:40]

Conclusion

The episode "Trolling and Investigating Trump" offers a critical examination of President Biden's strategic use of presidential honors and policies to target Donald Trump and his allies. Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler provide a perspective that intertwines political maneuvering, legal battles, and societal shifts, presenting a narrative of deep-seated partisan conflict and its implications for American democracy and international relations.

Final Thoughts:

• Listener Engagement: The hosts encourage listeners to engage with their content through subscriptions and visits to VictorHanson.com, emphasizing the importance of staying informed on these critical issues.
• Upcoming Topics: Teases future discussions on energy policies, legal developments surrounding Trump, and broader socio-political trends.

Notable Asides: Throughout the episode, Hanson and Fowler intersperse their analysis with personal anecdotes, reflections on historical figures, and sharp critiques of contemporary political strategies, enriching the conversation with depth and context.

Final Quote:

• "This was the most corrupt presidency... I can't think of any moral stance that wouldn't be hypocritical on the left now after what they've done." – [89:37]

This comprehensive summary captures the essence of the "Trolling and Investigating Trump" episode, providing listeners with a clear understanding of the discussions and viewpoints presented by Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler.