Has Trump 2.0 Been a Success So Far? — And Other Questions

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Aug 4, 2025

Listeners dive into the controversial legacy of Trump's campaign promises, examining the gap between rhetoric and reality. The hosts explore the fascinating intersection of Jewish identity, humor, and politics, shedding light on cultural rituals and values. A spirited bourbon discussion offers wallet-friendly recommendations, and literary insights reveal the connections between faith, identity, and political figures. Expect a blend of humor, thought-provoking debates, and personal anecdotes that enrich the understanding of contemporary issues.

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INSIGHT

Trumpism as Graft Operation

Trumpism mostly aims to enrich Donald Trump and his associates through government graft.
On policy promises like immigration, trade, and foreign affairs, the administration's performance has been mixed and more spectacle than substantive success.

insights

INSIGHT

Trump Support Persists Despite Failures

Trump often fails to fulfill extreme campaign promises yet maintains strong Republican support.
His tariff policies have caused slow growth and rising inflation, hinting at stagflation risks early in his term.

insights

INSIGHT

Conservatism Embraces Vices Symbolically

Conservative symbols of vice like cigars and hard liquor express male independence against political correctness and feminist influence.
This libertine culture often contradicts the religious right's policing of vices, adding to the allure.

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Concerts and Controversies: A Political Reflection

01:50 • 12min

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Vices and Conservatism: A Cultural Exploration

14:11 • 5min

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Bourbon Recommendations Under $50

19:40 • 2min

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Jewish Identity and Humor in Politics

21:49 • 21min

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Exploring Faith, Literature, and Identity

43:01 • 25min

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Exploring Literary Insights and Political Parallels

01:08:11 • 2min

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#34000

Last Drawings of Christopher Isherwood

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Erasure

Percival Everett

In 'Erasure', Thelonious 'Monk' Ellison, a professor of English literature and novelist, struggles with the publishing industry's expectations of what constitutes 'black enough' literature. Frustrated, Monk writes a parody of ghetto novels, titled 'My Pafology' or 'Fuck', which unexpectedly gains widespread acclaim and financial success under the pseudonym Stagg R. Leigh. The novel explores themes of identity, alienation, and the commodification of black experiences, while also delving into Monk's personal life, including his family's struggles and his own identity crisis.

#15834

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

The samurai

Julia Kristeva

#5843

• Mentioned in 5 episodes

Love in the Ruins

The Adventures of a Bad Catholic at a Time Near the End of the World

Walker Percy

In 'Love in the Ruins,' Walker Percy crafts a satirical narrative that delves into the intersection of science, humanity, and faith. The story follows Dr. Tom More, a psychiatrist who invents a device called the 'Lapsometer,' which can diagnose and treat mental illnesses. Set in a dystopian near-future, the novel critiques modern society and explores the complexities of human relationships, moral decay, and the search for meaning amidst chaos.

#10100

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

A boy's own story

Edmund White

#17390

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Call it sleep

Henry Roth

Published in 1934, 'Call It Sleep' by Henry Roth is a profound depiction of the life of David Schearl, a young Jewish immigrant boy in New York City. The novel explores David's fears, family tensions, and the complexities of assimilation in a harsh urban environment. Using stream-of-consciousness techniques, Roth vividly captures David's inner thoughts and emotions, reflecting the struggles of Jewish immigrants during the early 20th century. The book delves into themes of language, identity, and cultural integrity, portraying the squalid urban environment and the emotional depth of David's experiences. It is considered a classic of Jewish-American literature and a significant work in American literary history.

#46348

The Beautiful Room Is Empty

Edmund White

#7396

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Lost in the Cosmos

The Last Self-Help Book

Walker Percy

Lost in the Cosmos is a unique blend of satire, philosophy, and self-help. The book mocks conventional self-help texts while engaging readers in thoughtful contemplation of their existential situations. It uses multiple-choice questions, essays, and 'thought experiments' to explore the complexities of human identity and the search for meaning in a society plagued by moral and social ills. Percy argues that human consciousness is uniquely triadic, involving interactions between the sign user, the sign, and what the sign stands for, leading to a profound sense of alienation and the quest for transcendence.

#6590

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

Catholicism

Christ and the Common Destiny of Man

Henri de Lubac

In this classic work, Henri de Lubac synthesizes elements from throughout Catholic tradition to demonstrate the essentially social and historical nature of the Catholic Church. The book highlights how the Church's worldwide and timeless dimension is crucial for the fulfillment of the person within society and their transcendence towards God. De Lubac draws extensively from Scripture and patristic sources, emphasizing the unity of humanity and the Church's role in re-creating this unity through Christ. The book was influential in the Second Vatican Council and is known for its insightful exploration of Catholicism's social and historical aspects.

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

A single man

Hubert Henry Davies

A Single Man is the twelfth studio album by Elton John, released in 1978. It marked a stylistic shift for John, featuring more experimental arrangements and introspective lyrics. This was his first album without Bernie Taupin. It includes the singles 'Part-Time Love' and 'Song for Guy.' A Single Man received mixed reviews but showcased John's willingness to explore new musical directions. It is remembered for its unique sound within his discography. The album themes are loneliness and change.

#10744

• Mentioned in 3 episodes

Conjectures of a guilty bystander

Thomas Merton

In this book, Thomas Merton examines some of the most pressing issues of his era with his characteristic candor and forcefulness. The work includes his thoughts on the 'death of God,' politics, modern life and values, and racial strife. Merton's reflections are as relevant today as they were when the book was written, offering insights into his contemplative and socially engaged perspective. The book is a testament to Merton's role as a social critic, mystic, and advocate for nonviolent civil rights movements.

#7543

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

New seeds of contemplation

Thomas Merton

This book is a revised and expanded version of Merton's earlier work 'Seeds of Contemplation'. It consists of thirty-nine short 'seeds' intended to nurture a deeply contemplative and mystical dimension in our lives. Merton defines contemplation as 'life itself, fully awake, fully active, fully aware that it is alive,' emphasizing the importance of spiritual wonder and awareness of the reality of the Source. The book covers various subjects, including faith, the night of the senses, and renunciation, and invites readers to engage in a conscious and loving contact with God.

#7088

• Mentioned in 4 episodes

The Berlin stories

Christopher Isherwood

The Berlin Stories is an omnibus published in 1945, combining two of Christopher Isherwood's novels: *Mr. Norris Changes Trains* (1935) and *Goodbye to Berlin* (1939). The work is set in Jazz Age Berlin between 1930 and 1933, a period marked by the rise of Adolf Hitler and the Nazi Party. The stories are semi-autobiographical, reflecting Isherwood's own experiences living in Berlin during this time. The characters include the enigmatic Arthur Norris, a masochistic and possibly communist businessman, and Sally Bowles, a young English cabaret singer based on Isherwood's friend Jean Ross. The novels portray a city of debauchery and despair, where characters live in ignorance or defiance of the impending national catastrophe. The work merges fact and fiction, providing a vivid and often comic yet poignant portrayal of marginal characters in a city on the brink of chaos.

#18548

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Farewell Symphony

Edmund White

It's been nearly a year since we asked our subscribers to send us questions for a mailbag episode—which they did, with remarkable thoughtfulness and intelligence, for our 100th episode back in September 2024. A lot has happened since then (to say the least), so we wanted to once again open up the mailbag and find out what was on the minds of Know Your Enemy listeners, who sent too many excellent questions for just one episode—so, if you like what you hear, consider subscribing on Patreon to listen our next bonus episode when we'll answer even more of them.

In this round of listener questions, we take up how much Trump has kept his campaign promises, our favorite bourbons, the politics of Judaism, St. Augustine and original sin, novelists (gay and straight), and more!

Sources and further reading:

Christopher Isherwood, The Berlin Stories (1945)

— A Single Man (1964)

Don Bachardy, Last Drawings of Christopher Isherwood (1990)

Edmund White, City Boy: My Life in New York During the 1960s and '70s (2009)

— A Boy's Own Story (1982)

— The Beautiful Room is Empty (1988)

— The Farewell Symphony (1997)

— The Married Man (2000)

Walker Percy, Love in the Ruins (1971)

— Lost in the Cosmos: The Last Self-Help Book (1983)

Henri du Lubac, Catholicism: Christ and the Common Destiny of Man (1962)