The Victor Davis Hanson Show: "Trump, Davos, and the New World Order"
Release Date: January 25, 2025

1. Introduction

In this episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show, hosts Victor Davis Hanson and co-host Sami Wink delve into a range of pressing political and social issues. The discussion navigates through former President Donald Trump's recent strategic moves, the reception of his messages at international forums like Davos, critiques of influential religious figures, shifts within Silicon Valley, and reflections on historical landmarks such as the Lighthouse at Alexandria.

2. Trump's Vision at Davos

Victor Davis Hanson begins by analyzing a video Trump sent to Davos, outlining his vision for the United States and the global order. He reflects on Trump's criticism of current economic deficits with the EU, Canada, and Mexico, attributing much of these deficits to tariffs and remittances.

Victor Davis Hanson [06:03]:
"He said things like beautiful liquid gold, as for oil and that crappy new green deal, which was a joke... almost everything he was saying was heresy."

Hanson highlights Trump's emphasis on ending what he perceives as economic exploitation by foreign entities and his focus on ensuring the U.S. remains economically robust. He interprets Trump's remarks on the Ukraine war as a humanitarian stance lamenting the widespread casualties, contrasting it with the typical narratives.

Victor Davis Hanson [10:15]:
"It was really a humanitarian speech because he just kept saying, this is terrible... It's not an insurrection, it's not hill country, it's just a World War II battlefield."

The discussion further explores the positive reception from international bankers and financiers who seemed receptive to Trump's deregulation and tax-cutting promises, viewing them as a pathway to revitalizing the world's GDP.

Victor Davis Hanson [22:18]:
"That's Trump's position. And they, as he said, Trump wants us. Trump called them in and he says... I want to make the middle class rich."

3. Critique of Bishop Boude’s Sermon

Transitioning to religious discourse, Hanson critiques Bishop Boude, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, D.C., for her sermon that castigated Trump during a time of significant societal challenges.

Victor Davis Hanson [10:44]:
"She gave sort of a touchy feely, therapeutic Christianity... It was so redundant, redolent of Barack Obama."

Hanson condemns Boude's apparent disconnect between her preaching on compassion and her affluent lifestyle, contrasting her message with the realities of illegal immigration and its socio-economic impacts.

Victor Davis Hanson [12:21]:
"...she lives in one of the toniest neighborhoods in Washington D.C. and she has a six-bedroom, two million dollar plus house..."

He further criticizes her for focusing on issues like transgender rights over more pressing concerns such as border security and public safety.

4. Silicon Valley's Shift Towards Trump

The hosts examine an interview with Marc Andreessen, a prominent Silicon Valley figure, discussing why tech leaders are increasingly aligning with Trump. Hanson posits that tech professionals are disillusioned with leftist policies that stifle innovation and profit-making.

Victor Davis Hanson [17:30]:
"They're going over to Trump because they enlisted with the left and they saw glimpses under Obama... they don't allow me to express myself and make a profit. That's not America."

Hanson draws parallels between Trump's current economic strategies and World War II-era industrial mobilization under FDR, emphasizing Trump's promise to unleash the potential of America's top business minds to combat economic competition from China and the EU.

Victor Davis Hanson [25:53]:
"He turned it over to Dupont. He turned it over to General Electric... that's what Trump is doing."

5. Reflection on the Lighthouse at Alexandria

In a segment dedicated to historical analysis, Hanson explores the Lighthouse at Alexandria, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. He recounts his personal visit in 1974 and provides a detailed description of its architectural marvels and functional significance as a beacon guiding ships safely to the bustling port of Alexandria.

Victor Davis Hanson [28:15]:
"They built this huge tower and it was about 300, it was about 350 to 400ft high... one of the seven wonders where all of these were tourist attractions."

Hanson muses on the absence of such monumental structures in the modern era, suggesting that contemporary billionaires could take inspiration from ancient wonders to foster national pride and economic prosperity.

Victor Davis Hanson [38:08]:
"Maybe Phil Bloomberg and a few others... why don't one of them just say, we know what we're going to do?"

6. Discussions on Fauci and John Brennan

The latter part of the episode delves into controversies surrounding public figures like Dr. Fauci and John Brennan. Hanson criticizes the use of preemptive pardons and the revocation of security clearances, arguing that these actions reflect deep-seated political biases and systemic issues within governmental institutions.

Victor Davis Hanson [44:25]:
"How shameless these people are... They're okay."

He further elaborates on Brennan's actions and the broader implications for national security and political integrity, drawing parallels to historical military conduct and the importance of loyalty within the armed forces.

Victor Davis Hanson [52:26]:
"He plunged in, took a big chainsaw and cut that chain..."

7. Concluding Remarks

As the episode wraps up, Hanson and Wink reflect on the themes discussed, emphasizing the importance of strong leadership, economic revitalization, and integrity within governmental roles. They also express appreciation for their loyal audience, underscoring the show's commitment to delivering insightful and provocative analyses.

Victor Davis Hanson [69:29]:
"Thank you, everybody for listening. We wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your loyalty."

Notable Quotes

• Victor Davis Hanson [06:03]:
  "He said things like beautiful liquid gold, as for oil and that crappy new green deal, which was a joke... almost everything he was saying was heresy."

• Victor Davis Hanson [10:44]:
  "She gave sort of a touchy feely, therapeutic Christianity... It was so redundant, redolent of Barack Obama."

• Victor Davis Hanson [17:30]:
  "They're going over to Trump because they enlisted with the left and they saw glimpses under Obama... they don't allow me to express myself and make a profit. That's not America."

• Victor Davis Hanson [25:53]:
  "He turned it over to Dupont. He turned it over to General Electric... that's what Trump is doing."

• Victor Davis Hanson [44:25]:
  "How shameless these people are... They're okay."

This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of contemporary political dynamics, historical reflections, and critiques of influential figures, providing listeners with a nuanced understanding of the forces shaping today's world.