
Straight White American Jesus It's in the Code ep 172: “Projecting Enemies”
Dec 10, 2025
Explore the controversial ideas of Josh Hawley as he defines manhood through the lens of battling evil. Discover how his worldview transforms political disagreements into cosmic battles, painting opponents as moral enemies. Delve into the implications of projecting personal failings onto 'liberals' while critiquing societal institutions. Dan Miller unpacks the hypocrisy in Hawley's stance, exposing a complex narrative where accountability and genuine dialogue are overshadowed by fear and division.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Manhood Defined As Perpetual Battle
- Hawley defines manhood as a mission to combat evil, making evil a necessary perpetual enemy.
- That framing turns ordinary political disagreements into cosmic, all-or-nothing battles that justify violence.
Caricaturing Opponents Into Evil
- Hawley demonizes political opponents by reducing complex social actors to 'liberals' and labeling them evil.
- This caricature removes ambiguity and makes negotiation impossible.
Opponents Mirror Their Critics' Faults
- Miller identifies a pattern of projection where Hawley accuses opponents of behaviors he practices.
- That projection both disguises his actions and prevents self-scrutiny.


