The Gist BEST OF THE GIST: Very Serious Edition
18 snips
Feb 1, 2025 
Josh Barro, a former New York Magazine writer and economics expert, joins Megan McArdle, a Washington Post columnist, and Ben Dreyfuss, a political commentator, for a lively discussion. They analyze the shifting political landscape since Trump’s inauguration, reflecting on early activist fervor and disillusionment. The trio also dives into the complexities of political pardons post-January 6th and the growing normalization of political violence. Humor meets insight as they tackle U.S. energy policies and examine Gen Z's unique ideological landscape, revealing surprising perspectives on free speech and misinformation.
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Less Resistance to Trump
- There's more mainstream acceptance of Trump's presidency now than in 2017.
- Liberals seem less freaked out, possibly due to Trump winning the popular vote.
Trump's Bad First Week
- Trump's actions in his first week, like pardoning rioters and firing inspectors general, have been quite bad.
- Despite this, there's an argument that liberals should be more worried than in 2017, but they aren't.
Decline of Resistance Energy
- The fervent "wokeness resistance" has lost energy since the election.
- This decline in energy contributes to a more measured response to Trump's actions.