The LRB Podcast Buckley, MAGA’s Patron Saint
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Jan 21, 2026 Thomas Meaney, an editor and writer with experience at Humboldt University, dives deep into the life of William F. Buckley, the controversial figure behind National Review. They explore Buckley's role in shaping conservative opposition post-WWII, his Ivy League influence, and connections with anti-communism. Meaney highlights Buckley’s defense of segregation and the Vietnam War, alongside his impact on modern conservatism and surprising links to Trumpism. Buckley’s complex legacy is dissected, revealing his enduring influence on the American right.
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Architect Of Postwar Conservative Institution
- William F. Buckley organized and institutionalized postwar conservative opposition to Keynesian liberalism.
- His talent was spotting a political gap and building networks to fill it, making him historically consequential.
Family Oil Fortunes And Mexican Grievances
- Buckley grew up in a wealthy Catholic family with an oilman father who lost fortunes in Mexico and nursed grievances about US policy.
- Those family stories shaped his anti-democratism and early political commitments.
Universities As Conservative Launchpads
- Buckley used elite universities as battlegrounds, showing conservative careers could start by attacking campus liberalism.
- His Yale bestseller God and Man at Yale modeled how to weaponize university credentials for political influence.
