The American Mind

Crowd Funding and Mob Rule

May 8, 2025
The podcast dives into Trump’s controversial media presence and his take on consumerism as he reflects on his first 100 days in office. It explores the implications of American manufacturing moving to China and the nostalgia for domestic production. A compelling discussion arises around cancel culture, focusing on a woman's crowdfunding success after backlash for using a racial slur. Additionally, the founders of crowdfunding platforms share insights into their societal impact, blending contemporary themes with classic literature reflections.
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INSIGHT

Trump's Tariff Argument Reveals Values

  • Trump's 'dolls and pencils' tariff defense reveals a deeper value debate on consumerism and economic trade-offs.
  • He's reshaping his argument from Bernie-style austerity to emphasizing meaningful economic transitions away from cheap Chinese goods.
INSIGHT

Judiciary as Primary Executive Check

  • The judiciary acts as the only real check on executive power but lacks strong constitutional constraints.
  • This leads to a 'critarchy' where judges often legislate from the bench, compelling a unitary executive response.
INSIGHT

Misreading Trump as Schmittian

  • Damon's critique of Trump links executive power to Carl Schmitt but oversimplifies complex conservative intellectual traditions.
  • Trump's rule-by-exception instincts oppose the administrative state's ossification rather than embody Schmittian authoritarianism.
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