The Daily Beast Podcast How Trump Corrupted The Presidency Into an ATM
Jul 22, 2025
David Frum, Senior Editor of The Atlantic and former speechwriter for George W. Bush, joins to reveal the staggering extent of Donald Trump’s exploitation of the presidency for personal gain. He discusses how Trump's methods, like profiting from a purported presidential library, reflect a broader trend in political ethics. Frum also delves into social media's role in enabling such behavior and questions what the Republican Party’s silence means for American values. Ultimately, he urges listeners to consider their own tolerance for these unprecedented actions.
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Frum Leaves GOP Over Values
- David Frum left the Republican Party as it no longer aligns with his beliefs in markets, free trade, collective security, rule of law, and American leadership.
- He suggests political ideas and party allegiances constantly shift, and those values will find a new political home eventually.
Economic Turmoil Fuels Polarization
- Economic turbulence since 2007 and social changes have fueled political instability globally since the Great Recession.
- Rising sexual polarization and changing social structures deepen political divides beyond racial lines.
Social Media Warps Political Views
- Social media blurs the line between individual opinions and official party positions, exaggerating divisions.
- It flattens discourse by amplifying offensive or extreme comments, creating false impressions about party attitudes.