The Dispatch Podcast Donald Lame Duck | Roundtable
57 snips
Nov 21, 2025 
Megan McArdle, an opinion columnist, David French, a legal commentator, and Kevin Williamson, a conservative columnist, dive into the complexities of Trump's influence within the MAGA movement. They discuss media fatigue surrounding Trump, the shifting dynamics in MAGA coalitions, and the implications of Trump's foreign policy, especially his relationship with Saudi Arabia. The conversation also touches on issues like the crisis in K-12 education and why some tech leaders are leaning towards conservative politics.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Lame Duck Claim Is Premature
- Declaring Trump a lame duck is premature because he still controls media attention and his party's loyalty.
- Trump may be losing some punch as public and press exhaustion reduces his ability to command outrage.
Trump's Agenda Was Always Short-Term
- Kevin argues Trump never pursued a large legislative agenda and relied on executive actions and chaos.
- That pattern means his long-term legislative legacy will be limited and reversible.
Media Fatigue Weakens Trump's Grip
- Trump still can dominate the news cycle if he chooses, but attention wanes as he ages and becomes less entertaining.
- Media fatigue makes his provocations less effective at sustaining long-term outrage.
