The Victor Davis Hanson Show A Weekend in the Hanging Gardens and in the Troubling News
12 snips
Feb 8, 2025 Delve into the legal battle as Trump sues major media over the Russian hoax narrative. Explore the troubling ties between political funding and news organizations, revealing concerns around USAID's alignment with American interests. A thought-provoking debate on gender identity in sports challenges fairness. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon serve as a backdrop for discussions on cultural decay and university accountability. Meanwhile, political leadership dynamics highlight the disconnect within the Democratic Party and the evolving values of the middle class.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Trump vs. NYT & WaPo
- Donald Trump sued NYT and WaPo for defamation regarding the Russian hoax.
- Their defense claims their writers expressed opinions, not facts, and nothing was proven wrong.
Origins of Russian Hoax
- The Russian hoax narrative, pushed by news outlets, was based on the Steele dossier.
- This dossier, commissioned by political opponents, lacked factual basis and was used to damage Trump's reputation.
Basis of Trump's Lawsuit
- Trump's defamation suit hinges on proving intentional defamation and demonstrable damage.
- The suit alleges the hoax damaged his popularity, leading to the Mueller investigation and hindering his presidency.