Vertigo: Things That Unmake the Democratic Party

The Victor Davis Hanson Show released an episode on May 29, 2025, titled "Vertigo: Things That Unmake the Democratic Party." In this insightful and provocative discussion, hosts Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler delve deep into the internal and external factors contributing to the Democratic Party's current struggles. The episode navigates through leadership critiques, cultural shifts, policy missteps, and the alienation of traditional voter bases, providing listeners with a comprehensive analysis of the party's trajectory.

1. Leadership Crisis: Chuck Schumer Under Scrutiny

The episode opens with a pointed critique of Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. Following a maritime accident involving the Mexican Navy in New York, Schumer swiftly attributed the mishap to potential negligence by then-President Donald Trump, specifically citing cuts to the Coast Guard’s vigilance ([07:28] Jack Fowler). Fowler argues that Schumer's actions reflect a deteriorating leadership style, marked by blame-shifting and a lack of accountability.

Notable Quote:

Jack Fowler [07:28]: "He doesn't have an identity. And he's caught now... he tries to blame Trump for everything."

The discussion highlights Schumer's aging leadership and predicts a potential shift within the party towards younger, more progressive figures like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC), suggesting that Schumer's influence may wane as the party seeks rejuvenation.

2. The Antisemitism Dilemma Within the Left

Hanson and Fowler address the pervasive issue of antisemitism within left-wing circles, contrasting it with conservative efforts to combat such sentiments. They assert that despite strong conservative movements, segments of the Democratic Party and academia remain either complicit or dismissive of antisemitic incidents.

At [14:22], Victor Davis Hanson emphasizes the complicity:

Victor Davis Hanson [14:22]: "Because you can't stomach the reality that on your watch and with your participation and activism, you created and allowed this to happen."

The hosts discuss specific incidents at academic conferences where Jewish speakers felt unsupported, criticizing prominent liberal figures like Tom Friedman for their inadequate responses to antisemitism. They argue that antisemitism is predominantly a left-wing issue, undermining the Democratic Party's credibility and support among Jewish communities.

3. Transgender Policies and Voter Base Alienation

A significant portion of the episode is devoted to examining how radical transgender legislation is alienating the Democratic Party's traditional voter base. Specifically, they focus on Colorado's shift from a Republican stronghold to a "solidly blue state" dominated by aggressive transgender policies.

Notable Quote:

Jack Fowler [23:56]: "It's a solidly blue state. And I don't think it's ever going to change back."

Fowler outlines a seven-step progression of the left-wing DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) movement, suggesting that the imposition of radical transgender policies is the climax of an ideological overreach. They argue that such policies are not only alienating middle-class voters but also driving away blue-collar and working-class demographics that once formed the party's backbone.

4. The Jussie Smollett Hate Crime Hoax: A Symbol of Left-Wing Deception

Hanson and Fowler discuss the Jussie Smollett incident as a case study of broader issues within liberal politics. They contend that Smollett orchestrated a fake hate crime to gain sympathy and media attention, an act they view as emblematic of a pattern of deceit within left-leaning circles.

Notable Quote:

Jack Fowler [35:20]: "As soon as that happened, almost instantaneously, anybody with half a brain knew it was completely bogus... except Camilla Harris, Nancy Pelosi..."

The hosts criticize the lack of accountability and the tendency of liberal leaders to overlook or defend such deceitful acts, thereby eroding public trust and highlighting internal fractures within the party.

5. Campus Culture and Architectural Decline: The Stanford Example

Transitioning to cultural commentary, the hosts critique the declining architectural and cultural integrity of prestigious institutions like Stanford University. They lament the replacement of beautiful Romanesque buildings with modernist and postmodern structures, viewing it as a metaphor for the broader decline in aesthetic and ideological standards.

Notable Quote:

Victor Davis Hanson [56:56]: "They systematically blow them up... and they're run by either blue state left wing mayors or DEI mayors or both. And they're complete shambles."

Fowler echoes these sentiments, arguing that such changes reflect a loss of traditional values and an embrace of elitist, left-wing ideologies that alienate the middle class and stifle diversity of thought.

6. Donald Trump's Executive Order on Scientific Standards

A pivotal segment of the episode focuses on President Donald Trump's executive order titled "Restoring Gold Standard Science." The hosts interpret this order as an attempt to depoliticize scientific research, emphasizing reproducibility, transparency, and unbiased peer review.

Notable Quote:

Jack Fowler [60:35]: "They have people that really know the university. And that's what scares the left even more."

They argue that the politicization of science has led to numerous studies being debunked or ignored due to ideological biases. The executive order is portrayed as a corrective measure to ensure that scientific integrity is maintained, free from leftist distortions and DEI-driven agendas.

7. The Decline of Democratic Constituencies

In their concluding analysis, Hanson and Fowler summarize how the Democratic Party's focus on progressive social policies, particularly around identity politics and transgender issues, is causing traditional voter bases to defect en masse. They predict a continued exodus of conservative-leaning and blue-collar voters to more right-leaning alternatives, further diluting the party's strength and influence.

Notable Quote:

Jack Fowler [51:00]: "It's going to be the death knell of that party. That was that issue."

The hosts emphasize that without addressing these internal and ideological challenges, the Democratic Party faces significant obstacles in maintaining its historical voter base and electoral success.

Conclusion

"Vertigo: Things That Unmake the Democratic Party" offers a critical and thorough examination of the forces undermining one of America's dominant political parties. Victor Davis Hanson and Jack Fowler present a narrative that intertwines leadership failures, ideological extremism, cultural misalignments, and policy missteps as key contributors to the party's current predicament. Through pointed critiques and detailed analysis, the episode serves as a wake-up call for Democratic leadership and voters alike, urging a reconsideration of priorities and strategies to reclaim lost ground and restore the party's foundational strengths.

Additional Notable Quotes:

• Victor Davis Hanson [69:24]: "Because we live in the Soviet Union, we really do, the old Soviet Union. And we're just sick of all these lies."

• Jack Fowler [70:52]: "They are the biggest cultural 19th century imperialist we've ever had in this country."

For More Insights:

Listeners are encouraged to visit Victor Davis Hanson's website, victorhansen.com, to access exclusive articles and videos that expand on the themes discussed in the podcast. Additionally, subscribing to Civil Thoughts, the free weekly email newsletter from the Center for Civil Society, provides further reading and resources on strengthening civil society.

This summary aims to capture the essence and key points discussed in the episode, providing a coherent narrative that is accessible to those who have not listened to the full podcast.