The NPR Politics Podcast How Trump Is Remaking Culture To Fit His Worldview
12 snips
Aug 29, 2025 
Eric Deggans, NPR critic-at-large and Knight Professor of Journalism and Media Ethics, dives into Donald Trump's unprecedented efforts to reshape American culture. He discusses Trump's influence over major cultural institutions like the Kennedy Center and the Smithsonian, revealing motivations behind these moves. The conversation explores the intersection of politics and entertainment, how Trump's vision impacts racial narratives, and the challenges faced by artists in this cultural battleground. Deggans also shares insights on exciting new television series and the significance of accurate global mapping.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Federal Cultural Takeover
- Trump is aggressively reshaping federally connected cultural institutions like the Smithsonian and Kennedy Center.
- He replaces experts with loyalists to align exhibits and honors with his worldview.
Remaking Culture To Fit A Narrative
- Trump and the MAGA movement aim to recast American culture as less critical of national history and less focused on diversity.
- He leverages the presidency to control narratives across media, academia, and the arts.
Fealty Over Expertise
- Trump substitutes expertise and competence with fealty to himself through political appointees.
- That shift aims to make cultural institutions reflect his ideological leanings rather than trained judgment.