The Dispatch Podcast The New Three Legs of Conservatism | Interview: Matt Lewis
Aug 25, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Matt Lewis, a prominent podcaster and columnist for The Daily Beast, dives deep into the shifting landscape of conservatism. He explores the influence of Trumpism on various policies, critiques Donald Trump's foreign policy successes, and assesses the implications of Governor Gavin Newsom's social media strategy as he gears up for 2028. The conversation also covers the contentious crime situation in D.C. and the potential use of the National Guard, balancing public safety with the risks of authoritarianism.
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Three New Pillars Of Trumpism
- Matt Lewis reframes Trumpism as three new pillars: economy, foreign policy, and cultural/authoritarian tendencies.
- He argues the authoritarian/culture-war pillar is the most damaging and likely to earn Trump a failing overall grade.
Economic Gains Are Unclear
- On the economy Matt Lewis is uncertain, citing tariffs and failure to lower grocery prices as ambiguous results.
- He tentatively grades Trump's economic performance around a C due to unclear long-term effects.
Foreign Policy: Mixed Results
- Lewis calls Trump's foreign policy a mixed bag: pointed successes like striking Iran balanced by damaging moments such as the Oval Office treatment of Zelensky.
- He leans toward a C/D grade for national security given both gains and humiliations to U.S. diplomacy.