The Dispatch Podcast Crankworld and Normie Republicans | Roundtable
32 snips
Sep 5, 2025 
David French is a writer for the New York Times and a former senior editor at The Dispatch, while Megan McArdle is a Washington Post columnist known for her insights on economics and public policy. Together, they delve into the chaotic influence of MAGA figures on public health, particularly the implications of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s appointment. The conversation also explores the impact of AI on journalism, the erosion of trust in health institutions, and their personal favorite TV shows for entertainment amidst the noise.
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Cabinet Fiefdoms Run Their Own Agendas
- Many Trump-era cabinet appointees operate as independent fiefdoms pursuing personal agendas inside government.
- They act with wide latitude so long as their actions don't rise to the level that the president objects to.
RFK Jr.'s Views Preceded His Appointment
- Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s anti-vaccine views are longstanding and conspiratorial rather than newly formed.
- Placing him at HHS risks undermining public health because he applies double standards to vaccine evidence.
Confirmation Assurances Proved Hollow
- Senators who vouched for RFK Jr. relied on assurances that quickly unraveled once he began acting.
- The confirmation process failed to prevent predictable disruption because political incentives outweighed oversight.
