Bulwark Takes Trump's Exploitation of the Charlie Kirk Assassination (w/ Jay Nordlinger) | Bulwark on Sunday
Sep 15, 2025
Bill Kristol chats with Jay Nordlinger, a political commentator and writer known for his insights on democracy and culture. Their conversation navigates the pressing need to defend civil liberties in uncertain times. They highlight the dangerous implications of demagoguery and the erosion of democratic values, drawing parallels between Trump’s America and Putin’s Russia. Nordlinger shares personal stories of human rights activists, emphasizing moral courage and the importance of leadership in preserving democracy amid turmoil.
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Human Rights Drawn From Individual Stories
- Jay Nordlinger explains his lifelong attraction to dissidents and human-rights causes inspired by figures like Solzhenitsyn and Sakharov.
- Personal encounters with dissidents reinforced his belief that individual stories make human-rights issues concrete.
Leaders Set The National Tone
- Jay Nordlinger admits he underestimated how much leaders shape national tone and fate until he observed modern politics.
- He warns leaders can appeal to either the better or worse angels of a populace with huge consequences.
Post‑Election Rhetoric Had Real Harm
- Nordlinger recounts how Trump's post-2020 actions radicalized many and endangered election officials like Raffensperger.
- He argues those choices roiled the nation and required protection for public servants.
