The Joe Rogan Experience #1264 - Timothy Denevi
Mar 13, 2019
Timothy Denevi, a George Mason University professor and author of "Freak Kingdom," dives deep into the chaotic world of Hunter S. Thompson. He discusses the parallels between Trump and Nixon, revealing the media's role in shaping public perception. The conversation also touches on themes of political violence, the complexities of journalism, and the sacrifices made by figures like Muhammad Ali. Denevi examines the relationship between substance use and creativity, questioning societal values around mental health and ambition in the literary world.
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Trump's Nixonian Plagiarism
- Trump plagiarized Richard Nixon's 1968 convention speech when he ran for president in 2016.
- This included lines about crime and "barbarians at the gates," mirroring Nixon's law-and-order rhetoric.
Nixon's Werewolf vs. Trump's
- Richard Nixon hid his "werewolf" side, his true nature, throughout his career.
- Donald Trump, however, embraced and ran on his "werewolf" persona, appealing to a darker side of the American psyche.
Thompson's Assault in Chicago
- Timothy Denevi highlights Hunter S. Thompson's experience of being attacked by police at the 1968 Democratic Convention despite having a press pass.
- Denevi connects this to broader concerns about press freedom and the suppression of dissent through violence.
