Podcast Summary: The Victor Davis Hanson Show — "Trump Will Win This Tariff War and Other Pressing News"

Release Date: April 10, 2025

Hosts: Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler

1. Introduction

In this episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show, co-hosts Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler delve into a range of pressing political and economic issues. Released on April 10, 2025, the discussion primarily centers around former President Donald Trump's trade policies, the current state of the U.S. economy, recent Supreme Court decisions, and societal reactions to high-profile criminal incidents.

2. Trump's Tariff Strategy and the U.S. Economy

Victor Hanson opens the discussion by addressing recent economic developments, particularly the resilience of the U.S. economy amid fears of a looming downturn.

• Economic Resilience: Hanson challenges the prevailing panic about the economy, emphasizing that contrary to predictions, "the stock market is up" and unemployment rates are favorable.

  "Yesterday, some people were saying it was going to be Black Monday for America's economy. It wasn't." [07:05]

• Deficit Analysis: Hanson critiques long-standing deficit spending, referencing Warren Buffett's concerns about sustained deficits leading to reduced foreign investments.

  "Warren Buffett... said if we don't address this, it's going to let them get investments here and we're not going to get investments there." [07:05]

• Trump’s Economic Policies: He advocates for Trump's tariff policies, arguing that they position the U.S. competitively on the global stage. Hanson asserts that Trump's strategies have historically benefited Wall Street and the broader economy.

  "Donald Trump is going to win this trade war and it's not even a trade war." [12:22]

• Stock Market Insights: Highlighting the disparity in stock ownership, Hanson points out that a small percentage of the population controls a significant portion of market capitalization, contributing to market volatility driven by elite investors.

  "10% own 93% of the market capitalization... the other 50%, and then there's about 40%... have some stocks." [12:22]

3. Supreme Court Ruling on Venezuelan Deportations

The hosts discuss a recent Supreme Court decision upholding the Trump administration's policies on Venezuelan deportations, affirming the government's authority to remove individuals without extensive hearings.

• Judicial Interpretation: Hanson questions the rationale behind requiring hearings for deportations, likening it to standard law enforcement procedures for illegal activities.

  "If I walk down my avenue and I go into somebody's house... you broke the rules." [20:16]

• Policy Implications: He emphasizes the need for clear, efficient deportation policies to maintain national security and uphold immigration laws without bureaucratic delays.

4. Societal Reactions to Criminal Incidents

A significant portion of the episode focuses on societal responses to violent crimes, particularly the controversial support garnered by perpetrators.

• Texas Stabbing Incident: Hanson and Fowler dissect the public's reaction to a Texas teenager accused of murder, criticizing the substantial donations made via platforms like GoFundMe for the alleged perpetrator.

  "Glorification of these managers... everyone knows that some cities might even be burning." [44:44]

• Poll on Political Violence: They reference a survey indicating that a majority of self-identified leftists believe that murdering President Trump would be justified, highlighting the dangers of political polarization.

  "55% of leftists say Trump murder would be justified." [42:56]

• Critique of Leftist Ideology: Hanson argues that the left's tendency to idolize victims often depends on the victim's demographics, asserting that such support lacks consistency and is racially biased.

  "She has nothing in common with the black experience... and just because you're black does not entitle you to piggyback on the exploitation of blacks generation ago." [44:52]

5. Regulatory Policies and Their Impact

The conversation shifts to the impact of stringent regulatory policies, particularly in California, on everyday individuals and small businesses.

• California’s Regulations: Hanson recounts personal experiences and anecdotes illustrating how California's rigorous standards for materials and emissions can impose financial and psychological burdens on residents.

  "They do that, they do that, they do that... Glenn wanted to buy more equipment that they do not have." [38:24]

• Impact on Self-Sufficiency: He advocates for economic self-reliance, criticizing policies that disrupt individuals' lives without considering the broader economic implications.

  "We have to be common sensical, and once we are common sensical, all good things come forth from that." [25:10]

6. Declining Political Influence of Barack Obama

Hanson provides a critical analysis of Barack Obama's diminishing influence within the Democratic Party, attributing it to strategic missteps and personal disconnections.

• Obama’s Reduced Clout: He attributes Obama's waning popularity to his lack of direct involvement in current political dynamics and strained relationships with key Democratic figures.

  "Barack Obama has lost his mojo, ruined his brand... Obama's star has long faded." [60:38]

• Internal Party Conflicts: Hanson suggests that internal conflicts between Obama and Joe Biden have led to a loss of unified leadership within the party.

  "They had bad blood... they have no influence." [70:17]

7. Listener Feedback and Community Engagement

The episode concludes with the hosts sharing feedback from listeners, highlighting the show's impact and fostering a sense of community among their audience.

• Positive Listener Comments: They acknowledge supportive messages from listeners, praising the show's content and encouraging further engagement.

  "Victor and Jack, I'm the guy in the bucket truck... I do watch on YouTube." [72:31]

• Community Initiatives: Hanson promotes the Civil Thoughts newsletter, emphasizing its role in strengthening civil society through curated readings.

  "Civil Thoughts is a free weekly email newsletter that comes out every Friday that I write for the center for Civil Society." [72:31]

8. Closing Remarks

Wrapping up the episode, Hanson and Fowler briefly discuss upcoming topics, including an analysis of Miranda Devine’s column on Barack Obama, and encourage listeners to engage with the show across various platforms.

"Coming up in the next couple of days is the great Sammy Winc with Victor... We will be back soon with another episode." [75:07]

Notable Quotes:

• Victor Davis Hanson on Deficits:

  "We have been running a deficit for 50 years... Paul Krugman can be predictable on the sense that whatever a Republican president does, he switches and says it's bad." [07:05]

• Hanson on Supreme Court Ruling:

  "Why do you have to worry? Just say go. We don't..." [20:16]

• On Economic Self-Reliance:

  "We have to be common sensical, and once we are common sensical, all good things come forth from that." [25:10]

• On Political Violence:

  "They have been trying to kill him... There's millions in a nation of 345 million that if you were to do this, you would poll pretty well." [73:39]

This episode provides a comprehensive analysis of current economic policies, political dynamics, and societal issues, offering listeners insightful perspectives supported by factual discussions and personal anecdotes.