The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg ‘The Ghost in the Machine of MAGA’ | Ruminant
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Nov 22, 2025 Jonah Goldberg shares reflections on Dick Cheney's memorial and examines Nixon's lasting influence on the Republican Party. He discusses Nixon’s pragmatic policies, the roots of Me-Too Republicanism, and critiques the Trump-era's echoes of Nixonian tactics. The conversation shifts to the implications of pardons, transparency in the Epstein files, and the unrealistic promises of tariffs. Finally, Jonah evaluates Elon Musk's bold claims about AI eradicating poverty and delves into the complexities of wealth and status in society.
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Cheney Memorial Impressed Goldberg
- Jonah Goldberg attended Dick Cheney's memorial and found the eulogies deeply moving.
- He describes Grace Cheney's speech as a standout moment that moved many in the room.
Nixon As Big‑Government Pragmatist
- Nixon was a consequential big-government pragmatist often forgotten in contemporary narratives.
- Jonah argues Nixon's domestic agenda aligned more with liberal policy than the modern conservative caricature.
MAGA's Nixonian Winning Ethos
- The MAGA resurgence echoes Nixonian politics focused on winning and hating the other team.
- Jonah calls this the 'ghost in the machine' of contemporary MAGA strategy.
