Political commentator Bill Kristol discusses Trump's billionaire donors, authoritarian shift, media bias, abortion rights, and support for Ukraine. The podcast also touches on white rural rage, women's basketball, culture war dynamics, and the intersection of wealth, race, and political beliefs.
Billionaire donors favour authoritarianism due to past grievances under previous presidents.
Research shows an alarming increase in radical right-wing sentiments among rural voters.
Deep dives
Critique of the Title
The use of the word 'rage' in the title of the book has been criticized for being provocative, with the authors acknowledging that they were actually referring to 'resentment' but chose a more impactful title for marketing purposes.
Identifying Enraged Groups
There is a distinction raised regarding whether the most enraged groups discussed in the book are rural Trump supporters or individuals in MAGA communities in different locations, hinting at the need for more clarity on radicalization intensity across various settings.
Uptick in Radicalization
Research indicating that 27% of rural voters, including 23% of rural Trump voters, believe drastic action is needed in response to an opposing candidate winning highlights a concerning uptick in radical right-wing sentiments. Anecdotal observations, such as the increase in provocative political signs and stickers in rural areas, further support the premise of escalating radicalization.
Defense of Thesis
Despite some semantic and precision critiques, the broader argument posited by the authors regarding the radicalization of rural white populations holds significant weight. Observations of tangible shifts in political sentiments and behavior, coupled with academic data, substantiate the premise that there is a notable increase in right-wing radicalization, warranting attention and analysis.
Trump's billionaire donors had it so bad under Obama, Clinton, and RINO presidents that they just have to go with the authoritarian. Plus, the return of s**thole countries, women's hoops and culture war killjoys, a follow-up on white rural rage, and Trump's latest abortion position. Kristol joins Tim Miller.