Pivot The “Woke” Smithsonian, South Park’s Latest Dig at Trump, and Co-Host Wesley Morris
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Aug 22, 2025 
Wesley Morris, a critic at large for The New York Times and a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner, joins for a lively discussion. They dive into President Trump’s critique of the 'woke' Smithsonian and South Park’s satire of the Trump administration. The conversation also touches on the White House joining TikTok, the cultural impact of Taylor Swift's podcast appearance, and how humor can challenge societal norms. Expect laughs and insights on nostalgia, representation in media, and the evolving nature of cultural commentary.
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Cultural Sanitization As A Political Project
- Wesley Morris and Kara Swisher argue Trump aims to 'purify' American history by sanitizing museums and cultural institutions.
- They say this effort is propaganda and part of a broader political test run in Washington, D.C.
Trump Praised The 'Blacksonian' In 2017
- Wesley Morris recounts Trump's February 2017 visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture and reads excerpts of Trump's praising speech.
- He highlights the contrast between that visit's praise and current attacks on how slavery is presented.
Washington As A Testing Ground
- Morris suggests using D.C. as a test case lets an administration prototype measures like museum content control and National Guard deployment.
- He warns this could be a template for rollouts in other major cities if unchecked.
