Behind the Bastards It Could Happen Here Weekly 197
Aug 30, 2025
David Forbes is an editor and journalist with a focus on LGBTQ+ issues, while Dana El Kurd is a political science professor and expert on Palestinian politics. They dive into Gavin Newsom's controversial social media tactics, critiquing his populist approach and its disconnect from genuine voter support. The conversation then shifts to academic freedom amid political pressures, particularly concerning pro-Palestine protests and anti-trans legislation in North Carolina, highlighting the ongoing struggles for marginalized voices in the face of institutional challenges.
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Episode notes
Spectacle Over Substance
- Gavin Newsom's Trump-style social media campaign is spectacle, not substantive politics.
- Robert Evans argues it substitutes viral outrage for policy actions that actually protect constituents.
Don't Amplify Performative Politics
- Do not engage Newsom's posts thinking it advances real resistance or policy change.
- Avoid amplifying performative content that politicians mistake for meaningful action.
Palestine As A Blueprint To Control Universities
- The Trump administration used pro-Palestine campus protests to delegitimize universities and extract policy concessions.
- Dana El Kurd shows this strategy centralizes control by forcing administrative oversight of departments and curricula.
